Emery pinpoints two key Arsenal stars to build team around

Joe Williams

Unai Emery made it clear that he would build his team around two key Arsenal players as he was offered the job as the club’s new manager, according to reports.

The Sun has claimed that Emery ‘wowed’ the Gunners hierarchy during a secret meeting two weeks ago where he impressed chief executive Ivan Gazidis, head of football relations Raul Sanllehi and head of recruitment Sven Mislintat with a presentation.

It is reported that Arsene Wenger has backed the appointment of the former Sevilla boss on a three-year contract.

Mikel Arteta looked nailed on to become Wenger’s successor but his presentation was eclipsed by Emery’s as the Spaniard made it clear he would build his squad around Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Aaron Ramsey.

The report in The Sun continues by saying that Gazidis had heard rumours of doubt among the Gunners squad that Arteta was up to the job and instead opted for Emery.

A source close to the Premier League outfit claimed that Emery’s attention to detail was one of key reasons behind the club’s decision to choose the former Paris Saint-Germain manager.

“He knew more about the Arsenal squad and every relevant detail about their career path and injury histories than people who had been at the club for years,” the source told The Sun.

“They’d no idea where he had gathered his information but they were mesmerised by the vision he put before them.”

It is understood that Emery had to agree to a £50million transfer budget for the summer transfer window and is now expected to be unveiled before the end of the week.

Emery led PSG to the Ligue 1 title this season but their failure to progress past the Round of 16 in the Champions League meant he was always going to leave the French side at the end of the campaign.