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Unai Emery's experience gives him the edge over Mikel Arteta, says Charlie Nicholas

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Charlie Nicholas tells Sky Sports News why Arsenal fans can be excited by the potential appointment of Unai Emery as manager.

Unai Emery has an edge over Mikel Arteta because of his managerial experience, says Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas.

Arsenal will appoint former Paris Saint-Germain head coach Unai Emery as manager this week, Sky Sports News understands.

Emery, who left his job at PSG earlier this month, was in London on Monday for talks with the Gunners.

Nicholas believes the former Sevilla manager is less of a risk compared to Arteta for Arsenal, who are looking for a replacement for Arsene Wenger.

He told Sky Sports News: "Arteta was a risk because of his lack of experience, but what he learned from Pep [Guardiola] in a few seasons is as good as what Emery will have learned at PSG.

"It's the experience that probably helps. Emery will be more natural in making and accepting the big decisions. Arteta would have come in and been a lot more forceful with what he wanted to do.

"Emery would come in and say 'where are we? who's going out? who's leaving? what's our situation in terms of buying?'.

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Spanish football expert Guillem Balague says former Paris Saint Germain head coach Emery would be ready to replace Arsene Wenger at Arsenal

"I think he makes a strong case for himself. Style is important to Arsenal, they want to keep the fabric that Wenger did build.

"This is a guy who understands the pressure of the situation too. At PSG he won the domestic trophies, it can be taken for granted, but the pressure to win is huge.

"It gives him an edge, not a dramatic edge, but every manager is a risk. There is no guarantee Arsenal will challenge for the title or the top four, but Emery's experience does give you a slight advantage."

The 46-year-old Spaniard led the French Ligue 1 side to a domestic treble this season - but did not have his two-year contract extended and was replaced by Thomas Tuchel.

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