Daily Mail

ARTETA ON BRINK

Pep blow as Arsenal close in on City’s No 2

- By SAMI MOKBEL and MIKE KEEGAN

MIKEL ARTETA is willing to leave Manchester City immediatel­y and become Arsenal’s new manager.

the former Gunners midfielder is scheduled to meet director Josh Kroenke, who is in England, before Arsenal formally recommend he is offered the job.

Arsenal need an appointmen­t urgently after an abysmal run of form and have contacted their City counterpar­ts to discuss Arteta’s release as they prepare an offer.

Club chiefs want to end the uncertaint­y over their manager’s position after a dire spell under interim boss Freddie Ljungberg, prompting them to accelerate discussion­s with Pep Guardiola’s No 2, who will cost them only minimal compensati­on.

News that Gunners managing director Vinai Venkatesha­m and chief negotiator Huss Fahmy visited Arteta’s Manchester mansion, leaving in the early hours of Monday morning, indicates the Spaniard is leading the race to replace Unai Emery, who was sacked last month.

City are not impressed that

Arsenal failed to raise the subject of Arteta when the clubs met at the Emirates on Sunday. City officials had become exasperate­d by the frequency of media reports over the past seven to 10 days linking Arteta, 37, with various managerial posts and had planned to speak to him yesterday to deliver a form of ultimatum. Arsenal have been determined to complete a thorough recruitmen­t process, with at least 10 names on their original list of candidates. Mauricio Pochettino, Brendan Rodgers and Nuno Espirito Santo were among the preferred candidates. The club plan talks with at least two prospectiv­e candidates this week. But sources claim Sunday night’s meeting with Arteta was more meaningful than simply being part of the lengthy search. Concerns that managerles­s Everton may also step up their interest in Arteta, who spent six seasons as a player at Goodison Park, is also believed to have been a factor. There was a feeling at Arsenal ahead of Sunday’s 3-0 loss to City that the issue needed to be cleared up this week. Arteta was close to being appointed Arsenal manager following Arsene Wenger’s departure in 2018, but doubts over his lack of experience from certain board members eventually resulted in the club naming Emery. Arteta’s exit would come as a significan­t blow to Guardiola and his players. The Spaniard has great influence at City, playing a significan­t role during sessions on a day-to-day to basis. Guardiola, given his close relationsh­ip with Arteta, has been kept informed about the potential move. The City boss will not stand in his colleague’s way should he decide to leave for the Gunners. And Kevin De Bruyne admits the players have been bracing themselves for Arteta’s eventual move into management. ‘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,’ said the Belgian. ‘He is finding his role really, really good right now. 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?’

 ?? GETTY IMAGES ?? Right-hand man: Arteta and Guardiola (left) exchange ideas in training
GETTY IMAGES Right-hand man: Arteta and Guardiola (left) exchange ideas in training

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