By Tim Stannard

Unai Emery given keys to the Emirates

In many ways, Arsene Wenger leaving the Gunners felt more like a royal abdication rather than the normal process of a failing manager shuffling out of a Premier League club after just five months in charge.

Due to a 22-year reign at both Highbury and then the Emirates stadium, all that a whole generation of Arsenal fans have known is a Frenchman in a really long overcoat claiming that he did not see a variety of on-pitch incidents and that Arsenal were close to signing Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, etc, etc, etc.

By the end of Wenger’s lengthy tenure some sentimental types were sad to see the departure of the Arsenal manger, but others were looking at the French boss the same way the king-in-waiting, Prince Charles, may feel about his mother – just go!

Wednesday 23rd May is a historic day for Arsenal as Unai Emery has been named as the club’s ‘head coach’. Not ‘manager’, but ‘head coach’. Which is interesting. "I'm very excited to be given the responsibility to start this important new chapter in Arsenal's history," was the official response from Emery, who is fresh from leading PSG to a domestic treble.

Pre-PSG - which is a universe in of itself - the former Sevilla and Valencia boss’s specialty was getting fallen giants into the Champions League places and doing really well in the Europa League. That seems to fit the Arsenal job requirements perfectly.

Head to the XTRA at 7PM ET / 4PM to see what our resident Arsenal fan, Phil Schoen, things about the new Emirates king.

Rooney comes to America to find-facts

Remember the Wayne Rooney to DC United story?

Well, it is up and running again with reports that the Everton player is travelling to the US capital this week on a Senate-style fact-finding mission about his new club. The former Manchester United man will not be catching up with potential new teammates as the squad will be out of town, but it is a chance to meet the team suits, see the new stadium and get a photo-op with ‘Javanka.’

According to BBC, the final decision on whether Rooney is allowed to join up with the MLS world is down to Everton as the footballer still has a year left on his contract which means that an exit deal will have to negotiated with the Merseyside outfit.

While we are in the world of North American soccer, time for a couple of other rumors. Talks between the Fernando Torres entourage and Chicago Fire are reportedly ongoing while Sebastian Giovinco could be leaving Toronto FC to Liga MX side, Tigres.

Buffon offered PSG pay-day in four-year deal

Good news for those weeping into their tissues over the departure of Gigi Buffon from Juve. The goalkeeper might be changing from an Old Lady to a rich debutante with reports of a four-year deal being offered by PSG and over $10 million a year.

Elsewhere in the world of Italy, Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly agreed a deal to take over Napoli with Mauricio Sarri expected to be leaving. It will be Ancelotti’s first gig in Italy since 2009.

To wrap up, Pep Guardiola feels that the Manchester City squad is lacking attacking midfielders and is looking at bringing in Riyad Mahrez.

Head to the XTRA at 7PM ET / 4PM PT for the latest look at the transfer tracker.

Rockets fire up playoffs against Warriors

A bit of a shock in the NBA play-offs with Houston Rockets defeating the Golden State Warriors in the very-same home of Steph Curry and co. The 95-92 victory breaks a 16-match home post-season winning streak. "Hell of a game, team effort, fun game, fun game, big-time game," puffed an excited Chris Paul after the game. The series is now tied at 2-2.

That’s the same situation with the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers, whose fate depends on whether anyone will help out Lebron James. And there’s hockey too! The deciding clash in the play-off series is taking place on Wednesday between the Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning with the series tied at 3-3. The winner will face the Las Vegas Golden Knights.

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The life philosophy of Sports Burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. Sports Burst is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. Hopefully at the same time.