Unai Emery’s contract at Arsenal contains a break clause that can be triggered after two seasons, enabling the club to dismiss him one year early.

The Spaniard took over as Arsenal’s head coach on a three-year deal last week but The Times has learnt that the club can invoke the clause without paying up the full value of his contract.

Arsenal are moving away from the all-powerful managerial model used by Arsène Wenger during his 22 years at the club in favour of a more collegiate approach. Raul Sanllehi and Sven Mislintat have key roles in recruitment alongside Emery and the head coach’s contract reflects this. While Arsenal expect Emery to be successful and see out his three-year deal, they have sought to minimise their