Less than four days after Arsène Wenger announced his intention to leave Arsenal at the end of this season, it looks as though the north London club’s hunt for a new manager could be drawing to a close.
After Friday’s statement that Wenger would be leaving the Emirates after 22 years of service, speculation has been rife over who will take over the mantle (and inescapably become the subject of vein-bursting Arsenal FanTV rants).
Big-names such as Carlo Ancelotti, Diego Simeone, Luis Enrique and Joachim Lowe have been linked with the post, as well as former clubmen Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry. But it is another ex-Gunner — Mikel Arteta — who is now considered the firm favourite for the job.
According to Sky Sports, it is likely that former Arsenal captain Arteta will get the nod due to the fact the Spaniard is the man of choice for club Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis — with Gazidis himself revealing the biggest managerial names might not get the job.
Speaking yesterday, he said: “When Arsène was appointed, I don't think he was on many people's radar. That doesn't mean we have to repeat that but it does mean we have to be bold and get the person we believe is the right person.”
It is said Arteta is still held in high esteem at Arsenal, not solely because of his five years there as a player in which he made 110 appearances and scored 14 goals, but also because of the work he’s produced as a coach at Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Could be worse, Arsenal fans. At least it’s not Alan Pardew...
