THERE IS BIG WORK TO BE DONE
MIKEL ARTETA has worked with Pep Guardiola since 2016 and I regard the Manchester City boss as one of the finest to ever manage. That philosophy he came from, his Barcelona education, the way they pass the ball. It is in the mould of Arsene Wenger, that brand of football, and perhaps that is why Arsenal believe Arteta might be the right man for the job. There have been plenty of names linked, from Patrick Vieira to Carlo Ancelotti to Massimiliano Allegri. But to see two Arsenal chiefs emerging from Arteta’s house early yesterday morning suggested they had their front-runner. Reports emerged last night that the Spaniard will now meet with Josh Kroenke, too, so they are making progress and being diligent. I wonder how glaring Sunday was for the decision-makers of the club. It was always going to be difficult against City but the gulf between the two sides, especially in the first half, was alarming. The second half was better but the visitors were already 3-0 ahead from how easy it had been for them. Sunday’s defeat may have added some urgency in the search for a new boss. Arsenal’s next game is away at Everton on Saturday and every day is valuable. If confirmed as their new head coach, Arteta will want to get to work immediately. He will want to bring in his backroom staff — something Freddie Ljungberg was unable to do while interim — and get on the training field with those players. Let’s not forget the January transfer window is fast approaching, too. There is big work to be done at that club over the coming weeks.