Arsenal have hired former Paris Saint-Germain manager Unai Emery to take them into a new era following Arsene Wenger's departure. Sources told ESPN FC that the club had been impressed by Manchester City assistant coach and former Arsenal midfielder and captain Mikel Arteta, but senior figures began to have reservations about his readiness for the appointment considering his lack of managerial experience.
"I am thrilled to be joining one of the great clubs in the game," Emery told Arsenal's website. "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.
"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."
Emery's agent, Josu Reta, told ESPN FC that he is interested in having his backroom staff join him at Arsenal.
"In theory, yes, but there are minor details yet to be resolved," Reta said.
Juan Carlos Carcedo has been one of Emery's assistants since 2006, when they worked together at Almeira, and he has followed Emery to Valencia, Spartak Moscow, Sevilla and PSG.
Three other assistants -- technical coach Pablo Villanueva, fitness coach Julen Masach and video analyst Victor Manas -- also have worked alongside Emery for several years.
Emery, who spent two seasons at PSG, did not have his contract in Paris renewed and was replaced last week by former Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel.
He guided PSG to the Ligue 1 and Coupe de la Ligue double this season, but exits in the Champions League round of 16 in the last two years convinced the club hierarchy that he was not the right candidate for the job moving forward.
Wenger's 22-year reign at Arsenal came to an end earlier this month as the club finished sixth in the Premier League -- their lowest finish in the table since before he was appointed -- and exited the Europa League with a semifinal loss to eventual winners Atletico Madrid.
Chief executive Ivan Gazidis led the search for a replacement, and he proclaimed at a news conference announcing Wenger's departure that he would make an "open-minded and also brave" appointment -- leading to belief he would hire a non-traditional candidate such as Arteta.
But sources told ESPN FC that Emery was able to persuade Arsenal that he could lead the club into a new era regardless of their budget, and that he could work within their revamped structure that includes Gazidis, recruitment chief Sven Mislintat and director of football relations Raul Sanllehi.
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