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LONDON. – Unai Emery, the former Paris Saint-Germain boss, has put pen to paper on a deal to replace Arsene Wenger at Arsenal on a £6million-a-year, four-year contract.

Emery said he wants Arsenal to be among Europe’s elite once more when he appeared at his first news conference since being appointed as Wenger’s successor. The 46-year-old was officially appointed yesterday before he, along with chief executive Ivan Gazidis, addressed a packed media room.

He said: “Success next season would be developing, but how? By battling for every title.

“That’s in Arsenal’s and my history.”

Emery used his opening press conference as Arsenal boss to thank Wenger for his legacy, as he revealed he made his final decision to take the job after a meeting with the club’s bosses in Atlanta this week.

The former Paris Saint-Germain boss opted to forgo his native Spanish, instead braving English for his first conversation with the media at the Emirates Stadium.

Sitting alongside chief executive Ivan Gazidis, Emery was quick to praise Wenger after his 22-year reign:

“Thank you Arsene Wenger for your legacy. All the work and all the coaching is a reference, and I learn with him all the things in football.

“My English is not at the very best now and I want to make an effort to speak with you. To the supporters, to explain. I am very excited. Thank you.”

Emery also spoke highly of his immediate contact with the club, noting: “There was fantastic chemistry between us. Arsenal have a wonderful history, and I hoped that there could be a future for the club. The second meeting was with the chairman, and they translated what the fans wanted from the club. The third meeting was with the owner in Atlanta, and there we had a fantastic feeling about the project.

“Every step leading up to today has been very positive. Coming to Arsenal is something that makes me very proud and is a chance for me to grow.

“We will create a new present and future for Arsenal Football Club.”

In his opening statement yesterday, Emery thanked many people, beginning with the Kroenke family, the chairman and board, before moving on to Wenger. – The Mirror.