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Arsenal interviewed 10 candidates before opting for Unai Emery, says Guillem Balague

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Sky Sports' Guillem Balague reveals Arsenal spoke to 10 managers and explains the strengths of Unai Emery.

Arsenal interviewed 10 candidates for their vacant managerial position before deciding to appoint Unai Emery, says Sky Sports football expert Guillem Balague.

Sky Sports News understands Arsenal will appoint Emery later this week after holding talks with the Gunners on Monday.

One source close to the negotiations has told Sky Sports News that Emery is the only candidate to have been offered the role to replace Arsene Wenger.

Balague says the north London side spoke to ten separate candidates, including Mikel Arteta who came close to an offer, before deciding on Emery.

He told Sky Sports News: "Arsenal have been speaking to ten different managers, ten different candidates, and it got to a point where they had to make a decision.

"Some of the candidates did not have much similar to each other. They were looking for a series of things which eventually led them to make Emery the number one candidate.

"Arteta was one of those ten and came closest but at the end maybe the lack of experience worked against him. I'm sure from minute one he would have said he lacks experience himself. He had other things which Arsenal were impressed about.

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Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith says the appointment of Unai Emery is not a safe option but Arsenal fans should be excited about the new boss.

"Emery has the experience, has won trophies and done it with director's of football wherever he has been. Valencia, Sevilla and PSG as well.

"I'm not sure about this thing about embodying the shadow of Arsene Wenger - that is dangerous. He is his own man. He will work within the structure, he will make the team flexible. He will sharpen everybody up and will make sure the players come out onto the pitch knowing their obligations and responsibilities.

"There has been a lot of [emphasis] in training and you will see that in the way Arsenal shape up in the future."

Emery led PSG 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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