Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes Unai Emery has everything he needs to secure a Champions League place in the Premier League this season.

The TV pundit is hoping that the Gunners boss can build on a solid first year at the club, and communicate his ideas to his players so they can begin their assault on the top four:

“I’m not close enough to Emery to know how charismatic he is, what personality he has. He strikes me as being a thoroughly good guy, which is a good starting place. I think Emery’s the right man to turn it around.”

“He’s had a good year now and I expect it to really pick up for the rest of the season. As long as the players take everything on board, and there’s clear messages to the players. I think he has the tools to be successful. Maybe it goes over to the manager now.”

“The pressure’s on him to get the right balance, pick the right players, get behind them and put Arsenal back in the Champions League.”

There have certainly been doubts over whether Emery is capable of getting his ideas across to his players, and the lack of consistency in performances has been partly attributed to the Spaniard’s penchant for changing systems.

His tactical flexibility was seen as a breath of fresh air when he first arrived at the Emirates, but there has been a worry that the club lack an identity and specific way of playing under him.

Even so, the Gunners are currently in third place after eight games and, much like Keown, fans will be hoping that Arsenal can kick on after the international break.