Emery likely Wenger successor at Arsenal

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The race for the next Arsenal coach has almost come to an end as former Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery seems to be the successor of Arsene Wenger after the legendary manager said goodbye to the London club following a 22-year-long stint at the helm of the Gunners.

Former Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta, who is part of Pep Guardiola's coaching staff at Premier League champions Manchester City for the past two seasons, was also a front-runner for the coveted post but he appeared to have lost out to Emery.

According to several media reports, 46-year-old Emery, who won Ligue 1 and four domestic cups in two seasons in the French capital before leaving earlier this month, is a front-runner for the Arsenal job and is likely to be unveiled soon.

Despite having a successful domestic season, the Spaniard had to depart because of his failure to get PSG beyond the last 16 of the Champions League in his two seasons at the Parc des Princes.

Mikel Arteta with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during a Premier League game at Etihad Stadium. /VCG Photo

As per a BBC report, "Emery emerged as the unanimous choice following a recruitment process in which all candidates were spoken to."

Under Emery, PSG had reached four consecutive Champions League quarter-finals following the Qatari takeover of the club in 2011, but last year his side suffered a humiliating defeat to Barcelona in the last 16, losing 6-1 at the Camp Nou after a 4-0 win in the first leg.

Then came the massive 400 million euros (483 million US dollors) spending on Neymar and Kylian Mbappe －the two most expensive transfer deals in history - last year but Emery's side still failed to go beyond the last 16 after losing out to Real Madrid earlier this. Emery tasted substantial success with Sevilla as well as the Spanish side went on to win three Europa League titles in three full seasons.

Arsenal have been looking for a new boss for the first time in over two decades since Wenger's decision to step down after a lackluster season, which saw the Gunners finishing 6th in the league table and thus missing the Champions League berth for a second straight season.

(With input from AP)