Soccer: Emery Arsenal coach happy with transfer business

LONDON (Reuters) – Arsenal could not be said to be a leader in the Premier League season but only if it is an outstanding player, manager Unai Emery said on Thursday, he said he was happy with the club's transfer business.

Arsenal continued their busy next season activity by signing midfielder Matteo Guendouzi from French Ligue 2 side Lorient for an undisclosed fee on Wednesday.

France youth international Guendouzi is Emery's fifth signing and follows Switzerland full back Stephan Lichtsteiner, Greece defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, German keeper Bernd Leno and Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torreira.

"Normally in my career, the big clubs do not close the door or the moment to sign a new player," Emery told a news conference ahead of their first pre-season game this weekend.

"Today, we are OK. Maybe we can bring in a good job, but the club has done a great job of signing new players and I am happy. "

Arsenal finished a disappointing sixth last season and missed out on a Champions League qualifying spot, with manager Arsene Wenger leaving after almost 22 years at the club.

They face a tough Premier League against Manchester City champions on Aug. 12 with Emery, who left French title holders Paris St Germain at the end of the season, trying to build a team that can compete for a top-four finish.

"We signed the players who we need and only one player is a great opportunity," he added.

"Normally, we are thinking about young players, the possibility of them staying with us. We are also thinking about the players who have been with us for a long time.

"At the moment, I think the squad is complete. We will only be one player if there is an opportunity to bring one player, or two players. We are only going to have a chance in the next month if we have a big opportunity. "

Emery also said he wanted to win after the German skipper Per Mertesacker gave up the armband when he retired at the end of last season. Laurent Koscielny is the Arsenal vice-captain but the Frenchman is recovering from a long-term injury.

"… My first idea is to have five captains in the team. But at the moment, I do not know the names. I need to know more and more, firstly, Koscielny is the first captain and for me, I have respect for that, "the Spaniard said.

"Then, we are looking at, looking for, who are the players whose personality is the best in the dressing room. "