Mikel Arteta: Ex-Arsenal midfielder one of options to replace Arsene Wenger
Last updated on .From the section Arsenal
Manchester City assistant coach Mikel Arteta is one of a number of options being considered by Arsenal as their new manager.
Spaniard Arteta, who made 150 appearances for the Gunners and captained the side, took up a coaching role at City in 2016.
However, the club is not close to making an appointment yet.
Also among those contacted by Arsenal during the process is another of their former captains, Patrick Vieira.
The club remains confident of naming a successor before the World Cup begins on 14 June.
Once a decision has been made by chief executive Ivan Gazidis, head of football relations Raul Sanllehi and head of recruitment Sven Mislintat, the trio will present their recommendation to Arsenal's board of directors for approval.
Wenger will take charge of Arsenal for the final time on Sunday against Huddersfield, after almost 22 years in the role.
Ex-Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has been linked with the job, along with Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri.
One ex-Arsenal player definitely returning to the club this summer is Freddie Ljungberg. A deal has been done for the Swede to take charge of one of the youth teams on a permanent basis.
Analysis
My sense from speaking to people inside and outside the club is that Arsenal are conducting a very detailed and diligent recruitment process.
Those with direct and indirect knowledge have commended the way in which the Gunners hierarchy are going about their business.
They seem acutely aware of how important a decision this is, but also that it is complex, could well divide opinion and brings with it no guarantee of success.
Their priority is to make the right decision, rather than a quick one, though time is obviously of the essence given the World Cup starts in fewer than five weeks and the transfer window, which opens on 17 May, closes on 9 August.
The favourite for the job with bookmakers and many fans and pundits is Allegri, but Arteta is firmly in the mix, and although these two appear to be the frontrunners, I get the feeling other names are in the frame.
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And probably put the underperforming primadonnas at AFC in their place too.
AFC don’t need another ‘nice’ guy, they need a modern-day Attila the Hun
LFC Fan!
Wenger is a Legend of the Game.
I have no idea how Wenger coped with these cheap and unambitious jokers running that club for so many years!
The obvious candidate is Ancelotti. Very experienced, proven winner in Europe and the Premier League. Has successfully managed the biggest egos. Currently unnattached so no compensation to pay. Wants the job. Why look anywhere else?
ie.......Benkete,Balotelli,Markovic,loveren,mingolet,Allen,sako,borini,aspas and the list goes on!!
He sold Liverpool best goalkeeper ever....Reina and replaced him with the worst ever.
was recommended Dele Ali but said he wasn't premier league quality!
Need I say any more
N17 will continue to post comments about Arsenal whenever there is an HYS on the BBC Sport pages during the World Cup.
He will continue to ignore any factual comments regarding the Sours inability to convert all of their supposed promise into silverware.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Arsenal win another trophy before the Sours do.
You didn't answer my last question, so you have no synonyms for trophyless. Ok.
Spurs played a full strength team including Kane, Alli, Vertonghen last year against Chelsea and again this year against United. So are you saying your full strength team couldn't beat second teams of Chelsea & United or you are berating FA cups because you couldn't win it?
I know that football is more partisan than any other sport, but these sorts of derogatory names are extremely childish! Can we not have all such comments removed for breaking the rules?
Come on, people, time to grow up a bit!