Arsenal appoint Unai Emery as head coach

Arsenal have appointed former Paris Saint-Germain manager Unai Emery as head coach on a three-year contract taking over from the departed Arsene Wenger who left at the end of the 2017/2018 season after almost 22-year in charge of the Emirate club.

Emery, who spent two seasons at PSG, did not have his PSG contract renewed and was replaced last week by former Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel.

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.

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.

A new dawn. A new era. A new chapter.#WelcomeUnai pic.twitter.com/kGrE2gMLQl

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) May 23, 2018

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.

Before his appointment, Arsenal were in Manchester City assistant coach and former midfielder and captain Mikel Arteta, but senior figures began to have reservations about his readiness for the appointment considering his lack of managerial experience.

Arsenal were said to be interested in former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique but failed due to his wage demands, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said he wanted to stay with the club and Germany coach Joachim Low signed a new contract with the German football federation last week.