Pires hails new manager Emery as Arsenal's 'best signing'

The north London outfit chose Emery, a former Sevilla and Paris St Germain boss, to succeed long-serving manager Arsene Wenger in May and the 46-year-old has already signed five new players as he overhauls the squad.

“The best signing for me is Unai Emery, the manager. Of course I believe in the players, and especially the new players,” Pires, who played under Wenger for six years between 2000-06, told Sky Sports News.

“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.”

Uruguay international Lucas Torreira and teenager Matteo Guendouzi became Arsenal’s latest arrivals last week, while long-serving midfielder Jack Wilshere left the club earlier this month to join league rivals West Ham United.

Emery took charge of his first match in Saturday’s 8-0 win over fifth-tier side Boreham Wood but will face sterner tests against Spain’s Atletico Madrid and former club Paris St German in a pre-season tournament in Singapore next week.

The Spaniard has been tasked with improving on Arsenal’s sixth-placed league finish and their run to the Europa League semi-finals last season. The Gunners also suffered a shock third round exit in the FA Cup.