Date: 18th July 2018 at 1:56pm
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Arsenal legend Robert Pires believes Unai Emery’s appointment as manager is the best bit of business the club have done this summer.

The Gunners have signed no less than five first-team players so far, including goalkeeper Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen and Uruguay’s shining World Cup star Lucas Torreira.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos signed at the beginning of the month, while free agent Stephan Lichtsteiner and 19 year-old Matteo Guendouzi are also in the door at the Emirates.

Yet Pires is certain Arsenal’s best work has been securing the arrival of three-time Europa League winner Emery.

“The best signing for me is Unai Emery, the manager. Of course I believe in the players, and especially the new players,” Pires toldĀ Sky Sports News.

“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.”

Emery’s aiming is to bring the glory days back to Arsenal

Pires, who spent six years under former boss Arsene Wenger, could only offer admiration for the ex-Gunners boss.

Asked if Wenger was at Arsenal too long, Pires replied: “No. I know Arsene Wenger, he’s a very good guy and a great manager, and everybody knows he spent a lot of time at Arsenal because he’s in love with this club.

“He had a lot of pressure on his shoulders, so sometimes you need to say thank you very much for everything, but I need a rest.

“For me, it was a big pleasure to work with him. I learned a lot and reached my best football with Wenger. We won the title which everybody knows is very tough here.

“The most important thing for Arsenal fans is to say, ‘Thank you very much for everything, Arsene Wenger’.”

Arsenal begun their pre-season with an 8-0 thumping of Boreham Wood last weekend. The league season gets underway with a home tie to Manchester City on August 12.

 

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