Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he had reservations over taking the job so soon after former manager Arsene Wenger's departure.
Wenger left the club in 2018 after almost 22 years in charge, initially winning two league and cup Doubles and completing a Premier League title-winning season unbeaten before latter-day struggles saw the Arsenal stagnate and eventually fall out of the top four.
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Arteta was heavily linked with the job following Wenger's exit before Arsenal made a late decision to appoint Unai Emery.