Four issues Unai Emery will need to address as the new Arsenal manager

Emery has plenty of work to do upon his arrival at the club

Former Paris Saint-Germain boss Unai Emery has now been confirmed as the next man at the helm at Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta initially emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Arsene Wenger but the Arsenal board later switched their focus to Emery.

Here, we take a look at four pressing issues on his expected Emirates Stadium arrival:

1. Learn from Manchester United’s troubles

Not since Sir Alex Ferguson retired has the Premier League seen such an upheaval behind the scenes at one of its top clubs. David Moyes was unable to extend Ferguson’s era of unrivalled Manchester United success however, and failed to last a single season in the Old Trafford hot seat. So as Emery takes over, the Spaniard must heed Moyes’ cautionary tale on how not to receive the baton from a managerial titan. Rather than simply fit into an existing system, Emery must reorganise his Arsenal resources to fit his own mould – and usher in an entirely new era for the club. Anything less could see him forever caught in Wenger’s shadow, befalling the very same fate as Moyes.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure caused a major upheaval at Old Trafford – will Arsenal learn from United’s mistakes in replacing the Scot? (Getty Images)

2. Build a new spine for Arsenal’s starting XI

Arsenal’s soft centre was continually exposed in the latter years of Wenger’s lengthy reign. For the Gunners to climb back to the top of the Premier League pile, Emery must imbue his starting line-up with long-absent steel. That means – at a minimum – finding natural leaders to feature in goal, central defence and defensive midfield. Not since Arsenal’s 2004 Invincibles had a Wenger side truly boasted such a robust core.

3. Assert authority at every level

The capture of recruitment specialist Sven Mislintat from Borussia Dortmund back in November has been viewed as something of a coup for Arsenal’s future transfer plans. But Emery will have to work hard to ensure the club shares his vision for reshaping the Gunners’ frontline squad. Without harmony across the hierarchy, Arsenal will struggle to push themselves forward and improve upon this term’s sixth-place Premier League finish.

4. Get the best out of Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil remains a key figure for Arsenal. Polarised opinion over Germany playmaker Ozil’s strengths and weaknesses served as a lightning rod for wider criticism of Wenger’s last days at Arsenal. So devastating in international football, yet so often viewed as an under-performing luxury at his club, the frustration around Ozil mirrored Arsenal fans’ ire with Wenger. The 29-year-old signed a new three-year deal in January, retained at the club when fellow premium asset Alexis Sanchez departed for Manchester United. The Gunners have again put their trust in Ozil – and now Emery must ensure that faith winds up well placed.