Unai Emery unveiled as Arsenal head coach RECAP: Spaniard's first day at the Emirates Stadium as it unfolded

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis claimed Unai Emery was the stand-out candidate on an eight-man shortlist for the Arsenal job.

Emery has the unenviable task of replacing long-serving Frenchman Arsene Wenger, but Gazidis is confident they have the right man for the job.

He told a press conference: 'We had some clear criteria we were looking for. We wanted progressive, entertaining football.'

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Unai Emery used his opening press conference as Arsenal boss to thank Arsene Wenger for his legacy, as he revealed he made his final decision to take the job after a meeting with the club's bosses in Atlanta this week.

The former Paris Saint-Germain boss spoke in broken English as he addressed the media for the first time alongside chief executive Ivan Gazidis.

'Thank you Arsene Wenger for your legacy,' Emery said. 'All the work and all the coaching is a reference, and I learn with him all the things in football. My English is not at the very best now and I want to make an effort to speak with you. To the supporters, to explain. I am very excited. Thank you.'

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That is the conclusion of the broadcast section of Unai Emery's press conference, so that's all we will hear from the new Arsenal boss for now. 

The Spaniard, speaking mainly in English, spoke about his pride at taking the position, described the positive energy and chemistry felt during the interview process, and how he wants to restore Arsenal to title contenders.

'I am thinking about the present and the future. In terms of my past, that makes me feel stronger and it also allows me top have a guide in terms of my future trajectory.

'I am very excited to compete against some top coaches and play against some top teams. The Premier League right now is right at the top and everyone wants to be in the top leagues.

'I speak with a lot of coaches but they are private conversations but now I am here, all information is welcome.'

'He is one of the biggest talents here at Arsenal and I want talented players here. i want to spend time with him and all the players. I want to speak to them on a level about how excited I am here.

'Above all, this is a wonderful project and we want to give 100 per cent.'

'All the titles are important with us. I think we can and we want to be candidates. I don't promise today we win, but I can promise you we will work hard and will work together and will work to transmit emotion to reach the objectives.'

What most attracted you to the project here? Did you have any other offers?

'I had three fantastic meetings in terms of who was at those meetings. I met with Ivan, Raul and Sven firstly. They analysed myself as a person and a coach and thought I could be an options for this team.

'After a three hour meeting there was fantastic chemistry between us. That came simply from the fact it was Arsenal because they have a fantastic history and I hoped there could be a new history for the club.

'the second meeting was with the chairman and they transmitted what the fans wanted. I felt positive energy.

'The third meeting was with the owner and again we had a fantastic feeling about the way we spoke about the project. Every step up to today has been very positive about what I want after Spain and France, about Arsenal.

'It makes me very proud to be here and I welcome the chance to grow.

'The challenge is about developing and that is about challenging for every title. That is in Arsenal's history and my history and I want that to continue. I want us to win titles and be among the elite of European teams. I want the fans to be proud of the team'

How would you describe your style of football? 

'I am very demanding myself for all and I want here people who are demanding also, the players who are demanding also. My idea is to be the protagonist in the match.

'We play against teams with this personality, with history here of a team that loves to play with a possession of the ball. I like this personality. 

'When you don't have possession of the ball, I want a squad that is very, very intensive with pressing. 

'These two things are very important. To be the protagonist. Possession and pressing when you don't have the ball.'

Gazidis insists he has no regrets about not making the change of managers sooner.

'Our history under Arsene is fantastic and I won't be critical of what has gone before.

'It is time for us to look forward and do it with confidence. This is a fantastic football club and we have seen through this process the numbers and the quality of people interested, because they know this is a special place and club. 

'We need to get behind Unai and there is no limit to what we can achieve.'

He refuses to speak about transfer budgets. 

A question for Ivan Gazidis about how big a job this is for Emery.

'Our players we believe will respond to the new energy Unai brings. They can improve their individual and collective games. If they embrace those challenges, these players can be better.

'Sixth place is not for a club the stature of Arsenal. How big the rebuilding job is a discussion we have started with Unai.

'We need to get back to being candidates to win the biggest trophies in England and Europe. We believe the players will embrace it and I strongly believe the fans, when they see the energy Unai can bring with his qualities, will embrace that as well.

'The challenge is very big, to transition from one of the giants of the game in Wenger. This is not an easy process, we have build towards this for a number of years.

'We are working in a different way to how we did in the past, it will be more of a team effort, supporting Unai's vision and energy, finding ways for him to be successful.'

What are your targets in English football? Do you need to spend a lot of money?

'I believe the players who are here, I think we can grow up with these players and the objective is together to work hard, with this talent of player to work and we will be a candidate to challenge for the title.

'It is very important for the club after two seasons outside the Champions League to work for this. To work to be among the best clubs and the best teams in the Premier League and also in the world.'

How hard an act is it to follow Arsene Wenger?

'It is a big challenge for me but I worked also with other big projects and for me, I am proud to be here and to work after Arsene Wenger.'

How passionately did you fight for this job?

'The meetings with the people, with Ivan, Raul and Sven, the first meeting was very important to get the connection. I spoke in this moment about how they want and I want to work together with responsibility for this club. To know about my passion and how I want to play well. 

'The project at Arsenal is a big responsibility but I think this feeling is very important. For me, all the conversations were very good with all the same ideas and the same way to make an impression for the future.'

He is asked whether Jack Wilshere is part of his thinking as he is out of contract.

Emery says: 'I want to speak to all the players. We need to change little things, a little player. Today, I want to work and I want to speak globally for the squad.'

Emery now taking questions, which are translated into Spanish, but he wants to answer in his English. He is asked how big a challenge this is for him.

'This challenge is a dream come true.'

What are your immediate priorities and targets?

'For now, to know you. All the conversations, the meeting with Ivan and the people who work here to give me all the information about the club. After, I want to know how we will grow up this team and this squad.

'I know all the players. All are very important. All the players I think I want and will be with them this way. I want to speak individually to all the players and speak them face to face.'

Emery, speaking in English, thanks Arsenal's hierarchy and the Kroenke family for appointing him as head coach.

'The connection together for this project. Thank you to the chairman and the board. We had a meeting on Monday morning with them and I feel they feel with their hearts Arsenal and the conversation with the chairman and the board is very important for me to know better the Arsenal club.

'Also, thank you Ivan, Raul and Sven. The first meeting with Arsenal personnel, with the three persons, who after three hours I felt a very good feeling that we would work together and create a new present and future at Arsenal.

'Thank you Arsene Wenger for your legacy, for all the coaches in all the world there is reverence. I learned from him all the things in football.

'My English is not the best now and I will make an effort to speak with you, to the supporters to explain my ambitions, to explain that I am very excited for this opportunity at a big club, a big city, a grand stadium and also great players.'

'The chemistry between us and the feeling for football in the room. Unai has a competitive energy, it is this will to win that made us feel this fit is exactly right.

'It is following this extensive process I am proud and delighted to introduce you to Unai Emery'

'I have followed Unai since his time at Valencia and one of the noteworthy things about his teams is that they improve over time. He is a superb fit with the criteria I lay down,' he continues.

'It was in the personal meeting that Unai was incredibly impressive. He came in extraordinarily well prepared with a detailed knowledge of Arsenal FC. 

'He had an analysis of all our individual players, their qualities, and how he believes he can help them improve individually and collectively. In detail. '

Gazidis continues by outlining the interview process. He says that 100-page dossiers were submitted to the board so that an informed decision could be made.

Unai and Gazidis flew out to Atlanta to speak to the Kroenke family, returning over night last night.

Chief execuitive Ivan Gazidis will speak first.

He says: 'I am delighted and excited to announce the new coach of Arsenal FC as Unai Emery. I know that came as a bit of a surprise.

'I would like to give a bit of background about the process. After Arsene moved, on we formed a three-person committee headed by me, with Sven Mislintat and Raul Sanllehi.

'The first criteria was progressive football, the second a personality that fitted with Arsenal and also a record of developing players. 

'We created an eight-person list and all eight were interested in the position. All of those had in-depth interviews with the three of those. 

'We were in a fortunate position to appoint our first choice.'

We are underway at last

Unai Emery following the traditions of Arsene Wenger by being late for his press conference...

Exclusive by Sami Mokbel: Unai Emery vowed to make build a new future for Arsenal as he addressed his new staff for the first time today.

The new Arsenal manager - together with chief executive Ivan Gazidis - held a conference with existing members of staff at 1pm his afternoon, ahead of his official unveiling at 2pm The call lasted seven minutes, Emery speaking to his staff in broken English.

The Spaniard spoke about the privilege of being appointed manager of such a 'great club' and said he was 'excited' to get to work.

He said he was 'happy' and 'proud' of being in charge of a great club and will work hard to make 'new history' and a 'great future'.

Gazidis also addresses staff. The Gunners supreme said Emery'd appointment is the start of a new chapter for the club, that the players will be 'energised' and fans 'enthused'.

He also insisted Emery was the No 1 candidate for the job and said the board were 'very enthusiastic' in endorsing the appointment.

We are expecting the arrival of the new Arsenal manager any minute.

Journalists gathering inside the press conference room at the Emirates Stadium as we speak for the unveiling of new Arsenal head coach Unai Emery.

We anticipate that most of the press conference will be in Spanish with a translator. 

The presser is set to start in about 20 minutes' time.

Arsenal Independent Supporters' Association chair Lois Langton feels Emery emerged as the 'obvious choice and fit for the club' - and called for all Gunners' fans to unite behind their new head coach.

Langton told Press Association Sport: 'The appointment of Unai Emery marks the beginning of a new dawn for Arsenal and the title of head coach is an acknowledgement that we cannot allow ourselves ever again to be in a situation where so much power and control is vested in one individual.

'The story that started to break on Monday evening that Emery was the front runner seemed to come from nowhere. But, having now had the opportunity to digest the news, he seems an obvious choice and fit for the club - and his appointment is one that should be welcomed positively.

'He has great pedigree, with eight trophies, including three European titles, already to his name, and many supporters are excited at the prospect of the thorough and disciplined approach he seems to bring to teams.'

Langton added: 'Above all else, what we now need is for the club as a whole to be united in its support for Emery so that we can get back to focusing on Arsenal Football Club and ensuring its future success. Hopefully, Emery will play a key role in achieving that.'

All eyes on the Emirates Stadium at 2pm for Unai Emery's first press conference as Arsenal head coach. We will, of course, have it live for you.

Unai Emery is heading to London to usher in a new era at Arsenal as manager but his grasp of the English language is something he will need to swiftly improve upon.

The Spaniard will arrive at Arsenal with a translator and is having English lessons before getting down to work with his squad.

The Arsenal board don't consider Emery's English a long-term problem - chief executive Ivan Gazidis and majority owner Stan Kroenke both heralded him as the outstanding candidate upon announcing the 46-year-old on a three-year contract.

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Arsenal legend Ian Wright, speaking to Sky Sports from the golf at Wentworth, believes that Arsenal have made the right decision.

'I am very pleased with that,' said Wright. 'Obviously it came as a bit of a shock, because everyone was getting ready to digest Mikel Arteta, even though he is inexperienced at the level we are going to need.

'But - Unai Emery - I am very happy with that. We have got someone who is credible enough to take us to the next step.

'Arsenal fans are happy with it from what I have seen so far.

'Now we need to get our players with a different mindset from what they have had in recent years.'

But Wright is not happy about how Patrick Vieira was treated, saying the links with the former captain for the job smacked of 'tokenism'.

A new era dawns at Arsenal as Unai Emery succeeds Arsene Wenger in the Emirates Stadium hotseat.

It is the first time in 22 years Arsenal have appointed a new manager and Emery will be expected to deliver the same levels of success he achieved at Sevilla and PSG.

But how will the incoming boss compare to Arsene Wenger? We take a closer look at some of the important areas.

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Unai Emery said he is 'thrilled to be joining one of the great clubs in the game' after he was announced as the new Arsenal manager, replacing Arsene Wenger on a three-year deal worth £15million.

The former Paris Saint-Germain boss pipped Mikel Arteta to the role after the ex-Arsenal midfielder had misgivings over the managerial structure at the Emirates Stadium.

Emery has now been tasked with filling the gigantic void left by Wenger, who was in charge of the north London club for 22 years.

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Former Arsenal captain William Gallas cannot understand why Patrick Vieira or Thierry Henry are not set to take over from Arsene Wenger.

The Gunners are expected to confirm the appointment of former Paris Saint-Germain boss Unai Emery as the new head coach later this week.

Gallas, signed by Wenger as part of the deal which took Ashley Cole to Chelsea on transfer deadline day in September 2006, believes Arsenal should have given the job to someone who already knows the club inside out.

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Golfer Ian Poulter, a renowned Arsenal fan, believes Emery has 'big shoes to fill' after succeeding Wenger.

He said: 'I think whoever was going to take that role has got big shoes to fill. I mean, 22 years and a job well done, I think, from Arsene.

'Hopefully his changes will be good ones and hopefully he can strengthen the team in the right areas, and hopefully he brings the results.'

Now that Unai Emery has been confirmed as Arsenal's new manager, it is time for the club's fans to start looking ahead to next season.

What will the Spaniard bring to the club, what sort of football do his teams play, and has he been successful in his managerial career so far?

Here, Sportsmail - with the help of stats gurus Opta - go through some of Emery's statistics to learn a little bit more about what he will bring to the Premier League.

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Unai Emery v Pep Guardiola
2008-09: Barcelona 4 Valencia 0, Valencia 2 Barcelona 2
2009-10: Valencia 0 Barcelona 0, Barcelona 3 Valencia 0
2010-11: Barcelona 2 Valencia 1, Valencia 0 Barcelona 1
2011-12: LaLiga: Valencia 2 Barcelona 2, Barcelona 5 Valencia 1. Copa del Rey: Valencia 1 Barcelona 1, Barcelona 2 Valencia 0.
Overall record: Played 10, Won 0, Drawn 4, Lost 6, Goals For 7, Goals Against 22, Goal Difference -15

Unai Emery v Jose Mourinho
2010-11: Real Madrid 2 Valencia 0, Valencia 3 Real Madrid 6
2011-12: Valencia 2 Real Madrid 3, Real Madrid 0 Valencia 0
Overall: P4 W0 D1 L3 F5 A11, GD -6

Unai Emery v Mauricio Pochettino
2009-10: Valencia 1 Espanyol 0, Espanyol 0 Valencia 2
2010-11: Valencia 2 Espanyol 1, Espanyol 2 Valencia 2
2011-12: Valencia 2 Espanyol 1, Espanyol 4 Valencia 0
Overall: P6 W4 D1 L1 F9 A8, GD+1

Unai Emery v Jurgen Klopp
2015-16: Europa League final: Liverpool 1 Sevilla 3
Overall: P1 W1 D0 L0 F3 A1, GD+2

Simon Jones: Arsenal have snapped up Estonia youth international goalkeeper Karl Jakob Hein amid interest from rival Premier League clubs.

The 16-year-old had undergone a number of trials around clubs in the UK including Manchester United, Brighton and Southampton who were all interested in taking him on.

However, the U17 international has agreed a one year contract with an option for three further years.

Hein, who played for Nomme United in Tallinn, was advised by mentor Mart Poom the former Derby County and Arsenal goalkeeper who is Estonia's goalkeeping coach.

Sami Mokbel: Arsenal are targeting a summer move for Nice midfielder Jean-Michael Seri.

An overhaul is expected at the Emirates this summer, following the arrival of Unai Emery who has been chosen to succeed Arsene Wenger.

The soon to-be-unveiled Emery tried to sign Seri for Paris Saint-Germain in January and is now poised to revive his interest.

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Unai Emery has just changed his Twitter profile picture...

Arsene Wenger believes impatience within Arsenal cost him his job as manager and claimed even winning the Europa League would not have saved him.

The Frenchman left his post at the Emirates Stadium after 22 years in charge earlier this month, bringing the curtain down on one of football's greatest managerial reigns.

Despite a respectful send-off, Wenger has revealed a lack of patience led to his downfall and, despite crashing out in the semi-finals, believes European success would not have mattered.

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Unai Emery has been announced as the man to succeed Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.

The 46-year-old Spaniard has agreed a three-year deal with the Gunners worth £15million, which was announced on Wednesday morning.

Emery will have to work alongside the Arsenal powerbrokers at the Emirates Stadium. Here, Sportsmail looks at the men at the top.

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Sevilla
Europa League (x3): 2014, 2015, 2016

Paris Saint-Germain
Ligue 1: 2017-18
French Cup (x2): 2017, 2018
French League Cup (x2): 2017, 2018
French Super Cup (x2): 2016, 2017

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has praised Arsenal's appointment of Unai Emery as the club's new manager.

'His career speaks for itself, did it perfect in Spain with many teams – Valencia, Sevilla - and did it really well in France,' Guardiola told Sky Sports.

'Welcome to England, another good manager is coming here.'

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2005-06: Lorca Deportiva
Promotion to second division for first time in club's history

2006-08: Almeria
Promotion to top flight for first time in club's history

2008-12: Valencia
Achieved three successive third-place La Liga finishes

2012: Spartak Moscow
Lost 11 games in a disappointing six months. Sacked after 5-1 home defeat to Dynamo Moscow.

2013-16: Sevilla
Won three successive Europa League trophies

2016-18: Paris Saint-Germain
Won the domestic treble

Managerial career
P719 W385 D155 L179

Win record: 53.5 per cent

Here's what Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis said about the appointment.

'Unai has an outstanding track record of success throughout his career, has developed some of the best young talent in Europe and plays an exciting, progressive style of football that fits Arsenal perfectly.

'His hard-working and passionate approach and his sense of values on and off the pitch make him the ideal person to take us forward.

'We conducted a confidential, wide-ranging and rigorous search involving extensive background references, data and video analysis, and personal meetings with all the candidates we shortlisted.

'All were interested in the position and we were unanimous in our choice of Unai to drive the next chapter of our history.'

Arsenal's majority owner Stan Kroenke explained why Emery got the job.

He said: 'We’re delighted to welcome Unai to Arsenal. He’s a proven winner. We’re confident that he is the right person for the job and that he will work to deliver the triumphs our fans, staff and everyone who cares about Arsenal want.

'Several things stood out during his interview and the entire process; his football knowledge, energy, determination and love of the game.

'His familiarity with our club and our players, the Premier League and the game in Europe were all very impressive. He shares our vision to move forward, to build on the platform created by Arsene Wenger and help this club enjoy greater success.'

Naturally, Emery wanted to send out a message to the Arsenal fans as he was confirmed.

'I am thrilled to be joining one of the great clubs in the game. Arsenal is known and loved throughout the world for its style of play, its commitment to young players, the fantastic stadium, the way the club is run,' Emery said.

'I'm very excited to be given the responsibility to start this important new chapter in Arsenal's history. I have met Stan and Josh Kroenke and it's clear they have great ambitions for the club and are committed to bringing future success.

'I'm excited about what we can do together and I look forward to giving everyone who loves Arsenal some special moments and memories.'

The announcement was made just moments ago that Unai Emery is the new head coach of Arsenal.

The 46-year-old Spaniard, who has previously managed Valencia, Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain, has agreed a three-year contract worth £5million a season.

The Gunners announced the news with a short video looking back over all of their managers released on their Twitter account at 9.30am.

Emery will be unveiled officially in a press conference at 2pm this afternoon.

We will bring you all the latest news and reaction to Emery's appointment, plus live coverage of the press conference, and plenty of features looking at the man and his mission ahead.