The summer of 2018 could be the most decisive for Arsenal in decades.

It is the first time since 1996 that the Gunners dive into the transfer market without Arsene Wenger leading the way, with the club set to announce their new manager before the start of the World Cup.

Ever since Wenger's departure was announced, so many names have been linked with the vacant position.

Brendan Rodgers was an early favourite, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira have permanently been in the fold and fans really thought they were getting Juventus' Max Allegri at one point.

However, former player Mikel Arteta is the overwhelming favourite to land the role with the bookies.

Some have Pep Guardiola's current number two as short as 1/10 for the job, but there was a very interesting development that broke late Sunday evening.

The Daily Mail reported that Arsenal were planning a shock late swoop for a big-name manager, with Arteta potentially coming in as his number two.

The man in question? Paris Saint-Germain's former manager Unai Emery.

With Thomas Tuchel now in charge of the Ligue 1 champions, Emery is on the market and the Gunners see him as the ideal experienced figurehead to appease the fans.

There have been rumblings of discontent from Arsenal's fanbase that Arteta is too inexperienced to operate as a manager.

Emery was a serial winner at PSG and guided Sevilla to a lot of success in both La Liga and the Europa League, so surely fans would welcome a man with his glowing record?

And what's appealed to the Gunners board most about Emery was the way he brought players in at Sevilla under a strict budget, something he would have to do with Arsenal this summer.

Despite the fact the funds will be tight, Emery and Arteta would be handed a significant boost if they were to arrive, with the Mail also reporting that Jack Wilshere is set to sign a new three-year contract.

Sorting out Aaron Ramsey's future surely has to be next on the agenda.