Arteta’s watching brief

THE emergence of former Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta as favourite to succeed Arsene Wenger as manager might not receive unanimous approval at the Emirates Stadium.

Senior players will remember that the Spaniard had a reputation as being a management man when he was club captain. So much so it is alleged some of the proceeds from players’ club fines, which Arteta collected with great efficiency when team leader, were spent on an expensive watch for chief executive Ivan Gazidis. Although no one can remember why the CEo was bought such a watch, it hasn’t gone unnoticed that Gazidis has backed Arteta to be the new manager from the start of the selection process.

THE pre-FA Cup final lunch, in a roomful of blazers who are mostly opposed to the sale of Wembley, probably is not the best occasion for FA chairman Greg Clarke to discuss the idea. But it is understood Clarke will nevertheless mention the selling process in his speech today and the need for consultation and consensus. Meanwhile, the plan had been for John Motson, who retired at the end of the Premier League season, to present the FA Cup. However, the death of Ray Wilkins, who played for both finalists, made his wife Jackie a more poignant choice. AS if there aren’t already more than enough sports awards, the Leaders in Sport brand are introducing a rival to the recent sport industry night at the Battersea Evolution when there were so many irrelevant categories the trophy presentations spread past midnight. Mercifully, the Leaders’ version in october will have fewer gongs.