Arsenal are set to meet with Unai Emery as the former Paris St Germain coach emerges as a late rival to Mikel Arteta in the race to become the club’s next manager.

Arteta remains in pole position to succeed Arsene Wenger, who left the club last week after 22 years at the helm, having held talks with the Gunners hierarchy but they have spoken to several other candidates and are now keen to sound out Emery.

It is understood that Emery is due in London at some point today with Arsenal expected to make contact. The exact nature of their discussions is as yet unclear but Emery’s availability is an intriguing option given he won the Europa League on three successive occasions at Sevilla before winning Ligue 1 with PSG in addition to League cup and French cup success.

Emery has been replaced at the Parc des Princes by Thomas Tuchel and Arsenal would therefore not have to pay any compensation were they to follow up their interest with a formal offer.

Manchester City will not stand in Arteta’s way, however, should he be given the job and the former Gunners midfielder is keen to make the step up, having spent two years working under Pep Guardiola since his retirement.

Wenger’s successor will be given a transfer kitty of around £50million to spend — plus any money recouped from player sales — and Arteta has already gone as far as discussing potential backroom staff appointments.

Whoever takes over is likely to receive an immediate boost as Jack Wilshere is expected to sign a new three-year deal worth in the region of £100,000 a week.

The 26-year-old was left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup but received a slightly improved offer from Arsenal which he is on the verge of accepting. It is understood the contract remains performance incentivised but the midfielder now has to complete fewer minutes and appearances in order to trigger the maximum weekly payment.

Wilshere had been linked with several other clubs, including Everton, but Standard Sport understands the only concrete offer Wilshere had received and considered was from Juventus, who first registered their interest several years ago.

Wilshere had been frustrated by a lack of progress in talks but conversations have remained positive and an agreement is expected to be completed.