Just a quickie to keep y’all abreast of the fact that it looks like Unai Emery will be the man stepping into Arsene Wenger’s shoes at Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta had reportedly interviewed well for the role but it would appear that Emery is now poised to be appointed as the Gunners’ new manager after talks today saw the ex-Sevilla and PSG coach emerge as the premiere candidate for the post.
The update was broken this evening by David Ornstein, the BBC journalist who has become something of an oracle to Arsenal fans over the past year or so…
BREAKING: Arsenal to appoint Unai Emery as new manager. Thorough process produced 46yo Spaniard as unanimous choice. Available after leaving #PSG (1 Lg1 title, 4 cups), previously Sevilla (3 EL wins), not fluent English. Announcement + press conference likely later this week #AFC
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) May 21, 2018
Boo. How safe. How boring. Arteta was the unknown, exciting entity – though according to the Daily Mail, it was Arteta himself who passed on the job after being told he would be granted no say in transfer dealings.
Trust Arsenal to let everybody down, and within the very same hour the club announced that Petr Cech will be their No.1 goalkeeper (moving from No.33) next season too…
We've got a new No 1️⃣ – and it's @PetrCech pic.twitter.com/fzZqoCJJ7H
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) May 21, 2018
Other squad number changes see Mohamed Elneny move from 35 to 4, Granit Xhaka from 29 to 34, and Hector Bellerin from 24 down to 2.
Make of that little lot what thou will.