Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery is back in the Premier League as the new manager of Aston Villa, and here are three Gunners players he could try and sign.

The 50-year-old spent 16 months at the helm at the Emirates and helped us reach the final of the Europa League in his debut campaign. However, after a dreadful start to his second season at the club, he was shown the door.

Emery has since won the Europa League again with Villarreal, and he’s now back in England to prove a point.

Three Arsenal players Unai Emery could sign for Aston Villa in 2023

There are already a couple of familiar faces for Emery at Aston Villa. Former Arsenal stars Calum Chambers and Emi Martinez both play there, and we expect the two to become key players under the Spaniard.

Here are three current Gunners stars we think Emery could try to sign in the next two transfer windows:

Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Emery, like every other manager, loves a player who is versatile. Maitland-Niles, who has no future at Arsenal, could well be the man who the Spaniard will turn to next year.

The 25-year-old played 41 times under Emery in various positions. He scored three goals and picked up five assists as well, and he could prove to be a very smart addition to this Villa side.

Maitland-Niles’ current Arsenal contract expires in 2024.

Albert Sambi Lokonga

The Belgian is a fantastic prospect. He’s still a bit raw, but he has shown that he has the potential to become a truly fantastic midfielder in the years to come if he continues to develop.

At Arsenal, however, game time has been really hard to come by for Lokonga. He’s behind both Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey in the middle of the park, and he admitted earlier this month that he did consider leaving the club (as quoted by 90min).

Emery showed with Matteo Guendouzi that he can truly transform a talented young midfielder. He can do the same with Lokonga if he becomes available for a transfer next year – either on loan or on a permanent deal.

Pablo Mari

Mari never played under Emery at Arsenal, but he’s a player who would suit the Spaniard’s system really well.

The defender is currently on loan at Monza in Italy, and he’s performing very well there. However, there is a chance that the Serie A outfit will get relegated at the end of this season.

That would likely bring Mari back to Arsenal, and Emery could well try to lure him to Villa Park, where he really would be a decent signing.

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