Unai Emery gave an impressive first account of himself in his first press conference as Arsenal manager, but some questions were understandably left unanswered.
The new Arsenal head coach has signed a two-year deal with the option of an additional 12 months, and he spoke of wanting his side to play with “intensive pressure” and “possession” on his first day in the job.
Emery was asked about the future of Jack Wilshere, and his answer spoke for the entire squad. “I want to speak individually with all the players face to face,” he said. “I don’t want to speak about individual players today.”
But the 46-year-old is a very thorough man. He already knows plenty about those at the club, and will have a good idea of the type of player needed to take Arsenal back into Europe’s elite.
Will he overhaul the squad? Who are his transfer targets? Which players will be key figures at the Emirates under the Spaniard? One name may surprise a few.
Lucas Perez is the forgotten man at Arsenal, currently standing on the periphery, but the announcement of a Spanish successor to Arsene Wenger will have raised hopes of a revival in north London.
Perez will be due back for the start of pre-season on July 2, where he will come face-to-face with a man who has expressed an interest in signing him on two occasions.
Emery offered Perez an escape route at Paris Saint-Germain last summer, 12 months after he had opted to join the Gunners over a move to Paris. Such a Spanish influence will encourage Perez’s agent Rodrigo Fernadez Lovelle that his client’s future could yet remain at Arsenal.
Perez is currently on holiday following his disappointing campaign at Deportivo, but a decision on his future can be expected from a meeting between the player, his agent, and the club before the middle of next month.