Unai Emery’s blueprint for returning Arsenal to the upper echelons of British and European football is centred on rediscovering the fighting spirit and competitiveness that he believes was lost in the final years of Arsene Wenger’s reign.

Emery, whose first season at Arsenal concludes with Wednesday’s crucial Europa League final against Chelsea, has spoken about the change of “character” and “personality” that was needed at the club after their decline at the end of the Wenger era.

In his most in-depth and insightful interview with British newspapers since his arrival in north London one year ago, Emery discussed in detail the progress Arsenal have made in his first season and declared that he is using Liverpool’s progression from Europa League finalists into one of the continent’s most formidable clubs as inspiration.

Jurgen Klopp’s side were in the same position in 2016 as Arsenal are now, relying on victory in the Europa League final to secure a place in the Champions League. Liverpool were then defeated by Emery’s Sevilla, but have since developed into genuine European heavyweights.

Away from the cameras and the formality of a press conference, Emery was a man transformed as he explained the challenges he faced upon his arrival and the “conflict” he has deliberately tried to create with his players.