Unai Emery Arsenal press conference - as it happened: Spaniard is unveiled as Arsene Wenger replacement

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of Unai Emery's Arsenal unveiling.

The 46-year-old Spaniard has been appointed to succeed Arsene Wenger, the Frenchman leaving after 22 years at the helm. Emery arrives after leaving Paris Saint-Germain earlier this season and brings with him a wealth of European experience including three Europa League titles.

Fellow countryman Mikel Arteta was considered the long time favourite for the role before the club had an 11th hour change of heart instead opting for Emery after what CEO Ivan Gazidis called "a wide-ranging and rigorous search". 

We will have all the latest from his first press conference right here.

After a thorough process, the Emirates hierarchy decided that Emery’s vast experience was key, and meant he would be offered the job ahead of former player Mikel Arteta.

While the Manchester City coach greatly impressed in interviews, and sources say he ticked many of the boxes, the fact this would have been his first managerial job also weighed on the Arsenal decision maker’s minds. Arteta’s camp are understood to have been told on Monday that they were going with Emery, with the news also spreading to many Arsenal players.

Emery, 46, departed PSG this summer after the club opted not to renew his contract following a two-year spell, instead appointing Thomas Tuchel as his successor. 

Emery has been pushing for the Arsenal job since leaving PSG and met club officials earlier this month to hold preliminary talks about the possibility of taking over at the Emirates.

Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis has been determined to complete as thorough a process as possible in the manager search, even while continuing talks with Arteta, and he has been persuaded by Emery given his pedigree. The club are conscious of the supporters’ reaction to any appointment, and how relevant Arteta’s lack of experience is in that regard.

The older manager’s experience – having been so successful in winning knockout trophies at Sevilla, and then a title at PSG – is said to have been key.

It was also felt that Emery might better suit the parameters of the role defined by the club.

Many around Arsenal felt Arteta was so persuasive in his interviews that he was very close to getting the job, with staff openly talking about it all last week.

There were some snags with the formation of his backroom staff, however, and in the meantime key Arsenal figures felt that Emery ticked more of the boxes.​

Arsenal are excited about their next chapter

Ivan Gazidis believes Arsenal have got the right man for the job.

“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.”

Look who's here.

The new boss is in the house.

Majority shareholder Stan Kroenke believes Arsenal have the right man to follow in Wenger's footsteps.

“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 Arsène Wenger and help this club enjoy greater success.”

The man himself cannot wait to get started.

“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. 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 Independent understands the club are willing to sanction a £50m transfer spend this summer – bolstered by any fees received for outgoing players – but Emery is unlikely to be handed total control of the club kitty.

Instead, Emery will need to work alongside head of football relations Raul Sanllehi and head of recruitment Sven Mislintat, a state of affairs that appears to have deterred Manchester City assistant manager Mikel Arteta from taking the top job.

But what will Emery’s Arsenal side look like? Which players are likely to drop out of the Arsenal starting XI, and who will Emery, Sanllehi and Mislintat all consent to bringing to the club?