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Five reasons for Arsenal to be optimistic heading into next season

By Jocelyn Taub

SINGAPORE - JULY 26: Arsenal players pose for a team shot during the International Champions Cup 2018 match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal at the National Stadium on July 26, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images for ICC)
SINGAPORE - JULY 26: Arsenal players pose for a team shot during the International Champions Cup 2018 match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal at the National Stadium on July 26, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images for ICC) /
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SINGAPORE – JULY 26: Unai Emery head coach of Arsenal smiles during the International Champions Cup 2018 match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Arsenal at the National Stadium on July 26, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images for ICC)
SINGAPORE – JULY 26: Unai Emery head coach of Arsenal smiles during the International Champions Cup 2018 match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Arsenal at the National Stadium on July 26, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images for ICC) /

1. New manager – Unai Emery

Many Arsenal fans were ruthless towards Wenger last season and certainly let their feelings be known. Hopefully now the #WengerOut hashtags and signs can be retired for good.

Spaniard Unai Emery was hired after two seasons at the helm of PSG. In addition to the 2017-2018 Ligue 1 title, Emery’s managerial resume includes three straight Europa League trophies with Sevilla from 2013-2016.

A knee injury cut short Emery’s playing career with Lorca in Spain’s third division during the 2004-2005 season. Instead, he took over as club manager and led Lorca to promotion to Spain’s second division. His managerial career had been launched.

Emery had successful spells overseeing Almeria and Valencia before a short lived and unsuccessful stint with Spartak Moscow.

Emery’s return to Spain with Sevilla sealed his reputation as a manager to watch.

In addition to winning the Ligue 1 title with PSG, Emery won four domestic trophies over two years in France. He did receive criticism, however, for PSG’s two consecutive exits from the last-16 of the Champions League.

Arsenal legend Robert Pires heaped praise on the new boss in a recent Sky Sports interview.

"The best signing for me is Unai Emery, the manager. Of course I believe in the players, and especially the new players. But for Emery it’s very important to start very well. He knows he’s at a big club, and has a lot of pressure, but I think he has a big character and spirit. He won in Spain. He won in France. He has a lot of experience and I hope for him and Arsenal that he is successful with the club."

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