Let Arteta join Arsenal: De Bruyne

KEVIN DE BRUYNE has backed Mikel Arteta to become the next Arsenal boss.

Arteta has emerged as the favourite to replace Unai Emery at the Emirates and bookmakers have stopped taking bets on him taking charge of the Gunners.

The Spaniard has been Pep Guardiola’s No. 2 at Manchester City since 2016, but is desperate to make the step up to frontline management for the first time.

Gunners managing director Vinai Venkatesham travelled to Manchester to hold talks with Arteta, 37, on Sunday night following City’s 3-0 win over the London club.

Venkatesham was accompanied by contract negotiator Huss Fahmy and the pair were spotted leaving Arteta’s mansion following three hours of negotiations.

The Gunners find themselves in a crisis following Emery’s sacking last month, with just one win in 12 games in all competitions.

Interim boss Freddie Ljungberg has failed to make an impact and Emirates chiefs are desperate to make an appointment before Christmas, with Arteta their No. 1 choice.

Arteta, who made over 100 League appearances for the Gunners between 2011 and 2016, is willing to take the job mid-season and Guardiola has made it clear he will not stand in his way.

City ace De Bruyne believes Arteta, who has also been linked with the vacant Everton job, is ready to make the step up to the next level.

The Belgium international said: “He came here three years ago and had to find his way a little bit, because to transition from player to coach is a little bit different.

“He is finding his role really and is really good right now. But I guess one day he will want to be a head coach.

“He is helping us a lot, but if he gets a good opportunity to be a head coach, and he thinks it’s time for him to take that, I think as a club you need to let somebody go.

“You want to grow as a head coach, I guess. If he doesn’t, it’s his decision, but why, otherwise, start coaching in that way?

“Whatever he wants to do, you have to do it. If you want to grow, you need to take opportunities when they come.”

If Arteta leaves the Etihad Guardiola will look to bring in a new assistant and has targeted either Xabi Alonso or Giovanni van Bronckhorst. – Daily Star