Paper Round: Why the Mikel Arteta U-turn? What transfer budget will Arsenal hand Unai Emery?

The Arsenal board opted against Arteta as they feared a backlash from the fans, according to the Daily Mirror. The paper states the former Gunners captain was deemed as a big risk given his lack of managerial experience, and though he was edging towards a three-year deal worth £4m-a-year, the club settled on Emery after taking their time and speaking to all the potential candidates.

The Telegraph elaborates on Ivan Gazidis’ decision to pick Emery, stating the Arsenal chief executive “may have experienced cold feet over potentially risking his own reputation” when it came to hiring Arteta – a 36-year-old who had never managed a senior game. The paper also says that Emery’s time in his native Spain (where he won three Europa Leagues with Sevilla) had been noted by Arsenal’s new head of football relations Raul Sanllehi, previously Barcelona’s director of football.

The Guardian say Emery is expected to receive £50m, plus money generated from sales, to make his stamp on the Arsenal squad this summer. However, given the sum is far from lavish, he will have to prove his coaching skills can revive a stuttering squad. The fact he speaks minimal English did not deter Gazidis, though he will be expected to make lessons a priority.

Paper Round’s view: Well who saw this coming on the weekend? There’s no doubting Arteta would have been a great gamble, but the appointment of Emery is unlikely to invigorate the supporters, who will be well aware that he left Paris Saint-Germain after failing to make a mark in Europe during his two seasons in France.

Unsurprisingly, Arsenal fans were expecting the very best to come forward when this attractive role opened up after 22 years of occupancy. However, Max Allegri and Diego Simeone remain at Juventus and Atletico Madrid respectively, and Arsenal have moved for a 46-year-old with a far-from flawless past (sacked by Spartak Moscow after six months in charge in 2012).

All that being said, Emery must be given time to make his mark. Miracles are unlikely, but a sustained top-four challenge must be the order of the 2018/19 season. In that respect, it’s a large contrast to the title-winning team Sir Alex Ferguson left behind at Manchester United (yes, we know it featured Tom Cleverley). Wenger finished outside the top four for the past two seasons, so it would be an achievement for Emery to come close in 12 months’ time. It's important the club don't panic if he faills short, you know, unless he faills drastically short, and outside the top 10...

Manchester City have opened fresh talks with Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez, according to the Telegraph. The Algerian has been a longstanding target for the Premier League champions, and failed with a late move for the 2016 PFA Player of the Year back in January. It is believed Leicester value Mahrez at around £60m, though would look to bring in Patrick Roberts as part of the deal, while the process is also said to be delayed due to a dispute over agent fees.

Paper Round’s view: Pep Guardiola and City got deals over the line very quickly last summer, and it paid dividends with regards to getting the team bedded in. It appears early business is the order of the day once more – another successful window could have the chasing pack floundering come late July, early August.