Arsenal icon Robert Pires believes Unai Emery is the right manager to bring success back to the struggling north Londoners.
Emery replaced the legendary Arsene Wenger as manager last summer and experienced an underwhelming first season in charge of the Emirates club.
The Gunners missed out on Champions League football again after failing to finish in the top four and suffering a humiliating defeat by rivals Chelsea in the Europa League final.
Their failure to secure a place in Europe's elite club competition has ultimately had consequences on Emery's transfer budget, with the Spaniard reportedly given just £45million to strengthen his ranks this summer.
But Pires, who won two Premier League titles during his spell with Arsenal , reckons Emery can bring the good times back to the red half of north London.
Pires said: “It is step by step. The manager now is Unai Emery. I think he had a very good season.
“For a first season, it was very difficult because the people, fans and media compare him with Arsene Wenger.
“And unfortunately we lost the final [of the Europa League] against Chelsea. But I think he's a good manager for Arsenal.
“We need to say: ‘okay, you have the time - maybe you can build the team next season’, and the most important thing is to believe in the manager.”
Pires' former Arsenal team-mate Freddie Ljungberg is to become Arsenal's new assistant first-team coach, switching roles with Steve Bould who will take charge of the club's under-23 team.
And the former French midfielder has hailed the appointment which will see Ljungberg step up from his position with the under-23s to work with head coach Emery.
"I'm very happy for Freddie Ljungberg because he will join the staff with Unai Emery,” added Pires.
“This is a good decision from Arsenal. He did very well with the Arsenal Under-23s, by winning the title.
“He knows Arsenal, he knows high level [football], he knows how you can win the title. When I saw the news, I was very happy for Freddie. That's why I sent a message to him wishing him good luck for the new season.
“I think Arsenal need an ex-player like him to bring his experience and philosophy to the team.”
