LONDON — Arsenal announced former Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery as its new boss Wednesday, handing him the daunting task of revitalizing a club that has slipped well behind its Premier League rivals.

The Spaniard, who won the domestic treble with PSG this season, emerged as the shock favorite to replace Arsene Wenger earlier this week after it had appeared former Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta was in line to land the job at the Emirates.

Wenger departed at the end of the season following a 22-year reign, with the club finishing sixth in the Premier League — 37 points behind champions Manchester City — and failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Arsenal will be wary of the turmoil at Manchester United after the departure of long-serving manager Alex Ferguson in 2013 but said the choice of Emery was unanimous.

“I am thrilled to be joining one of the great clubs in the game,” Emery, 46, told Arsenal’s website.

“Arsenal is known and loved throughout the world for its style of play, its commitment to young players, the fantastic stadium, the way the club is run. I’m very excited to be given the responsibility to start this important new chapter in Arsenal’s history.”

Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis said the decision to appoint the former Valencia and Spartak Moscow boss had been unanimous.

“Unai has an outstanding track record of success throughout his career, has developed some of the best young talent in Europe and plays an exciting, progressive style of football that fits Arsenal perfectly,” he said.

“His hard-working and passionate approach and his sense of values on and off the pitch make him the ideal person to take us forward.”

Emery left PSG this month after winning Ligue 1 and four domestic cups in two seasons in the French capital.

The Spaniard, who will be unveiled at a press conference at the Emirates later Wednesday, will work in a head coach capacity at Arsenal.

It follows the appointments of Raul Sanllehi as head of football relations and Sven Mislintat as head of recruitment over the past year.

Emery has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most studious coaches, demanding relentless effort on the training ground.

He has flourished within a structure similar to the one now in place at Arsenal, working well with recruitment director Monchi at Sevilla.

But according to reports, he will have just £50 million ($67 million) to spend on new players to revitalize his squad, putting him at a huge disadvantage compared with the cash-rich Manchester clubs.

Emery will have a handful of top stars to call on, including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil, but the future of many of the squad members is uncertain, with the club in need of defensive reinforcements.

Wednesday’s official announcement came after Emery looked to have confirmed himself as the Arsenal’s new boss late Tuesday.

The homepage of Emery’s personal website, www.unai-emery.com, displayed a picture of the Spaniard alongside an Arsenal crest. It carried the message: “Proud to be part of the Arsenal family.”

The image was later taken down, replaced by an error message, but has now been reinstated. — AFP