This archive report was first published on 16 December 2019.
Arsenal Chiefs Eye Mikel Arteta as Replacement for Unai Emery ¶
Following a string of unconvincing results under interim boss Freddie Ljungberg, Arsenal chiefs have reportedly turned their attention to Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola's assistant, as a potential replacement for Unai Emery.
According to reports, Arteta, who spent five years at the Emirates as a player, is now the Gunners' top choice candidate to succeed Emery, who was sacked in late November.
Just hours after Arsenal's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, December 15, Arteta held talks with the club's chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and chief contract negotiator Huss Fahmy at his house.
It is believed that the club could name Arteta as the new boss in the next 48 hours, ending days of speculation.
When asked about reports linking Arteta to the north London job, City boss Pep Guardiola hinted that the Manchester club would not stand in the former midfielder's way.
"If it happens, it will happen. When he wants to talk we are open to talk but it’s private, I don’t want to make things uncomfortable," Guardiola was quoted saying.
