Arsenal legend Robert Pires believes new manager Unai Emery is the best signing the club have made in the close-season.
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Emery arrived at Emirates Stadium in May as the replacement for Arsene Wenger after the Frenchman’s 22-year spell at the helm came to an end.
He has brought in five new players, with Uruguay international Lucas Torreira and 19-year-old Matteo Guendouzi joining last week, following the arrivals of Bernd Leno, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Stephan Lichsteiner.
However, Pires told Sky Sports: ‘The best signing for me is Unai Emery, the manager. Of course, I believe in the players, and especially the new players.
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‘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 Arsenal begin the new Premier League season with a trial by fire, facing defending champions Manchester City on 12 August, followed by a trip to London rivals Chelsea on 18 August.
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