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Unai Emery spoke to the press for the first time as Arsenal manager on Wednesday, and was asked about everything from his vision for the club to his first impressions.

The Spaniard swooped in and landed the job at the eleventh hour, nipping ahead of compatriot Mikel Arteta, who was initially expected to take over at the Emirates.

The Gunners confirmed the Spaniard would be replacing Arsene Wenger after his 22-year rein in north London on Wednesday, and Emery wasted no time putting pen to paper on a four-year deal, understood to be worth £6million-a-season.

Here's a full transcript of everything he, and Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis, said in Emery's first Arsenal press conference.

(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images))

Ivan Gazidis on the process

"We created an eight-person list. Everyone we approached was interested and took part in extensive interviews and none withdrew their interest.

"We made our recommendation to the board on May 18, it was unanimous.

"I followed his career very closely since his days at Valencia and he has always been on my radar screen. His teams improve over time.

(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"I felt he is a superb fit with the criteria I laid out."

"He came in extraordinarily well prepared. Analysis to share with us. An analysis of all of our individual players and their qualities."

Gazidis on the future

"All of our players, we believe, will respond to the new energy Unai brings, they will have someone under whom they can improve their individual game.

"I don't think anybody thinks sixth place is a place a club the stature of Arsenal should be. We are doing it in a new way but that doesn't mean I'm critical of the way it had been done."

(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Unai Emery thanks the Arsenal board

"Thank you to the Kroenke family. We travelled to Atlanta for a meeting with them.

"For me it was a very good meeting, a very good conversation with him and his son. All of the connection is together for this project. Thank you also to the chairman and the board."

"The conversation with the chairman and the board was very important for me to know better Arsenal - also thank you Ivan, Raul and Sven.

(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The first meeting with Arsenal personnel were with the three people who, after three hours, I have a very good feeling we will work together."

Emery thanks Arsene Wenger

"Thank you Arsene Wenger for you legacy. I learned from him all the things in football.

"My English is not the very best now but I want to make an effort to speak with you and the supporters to explain my idea, my ambitions and that I am very excited for the opportunity.

(Image: AFP)

"It is a big challenge for me but I work also with other big projects and for me I am proud to be here and to work after Arsene Wenger."

On the challenge ahead

"It is a great challenge but in my career, every year I grow up with a new challenge. For me, the challenge is a dream come true.

"I want to know how we will grow this team, this squad. I know all the players, they are all very important. I will speak individually with all the players face to face.

(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"I believe in the players who are here. The objective is to work hard."

"We want to work to improve individually and collectively all that we can. All the titles are important for us, I think we can -and we want to be - candidates for them.

"I don't promise we will win but I can promise you we will work hard, work together."

On Jack Wilshere

"I want today to speak about the team globally, not individually about the players today. This team is a big team, great players, we think we need to change little things."

(Image: Arsenal FC/Getty)

On his style of play

"I am very demanding myself and I want here people who are demanding also, the players demanding also.

"My idea is to be the protagonist all of the match. The history here is one thing - they love to play in possession of the ball. I like this personality."

(Image: AFP)

On Mesut Ozil

"He is one of the biggest talents here at Arsenal and I want talented players here. I want to speak to them on a level, about inspired I am to be here and I want the players to feel that as well."