The wheels are in motion and its almost poetic that Mikel Arteta s involvement with Manchester City could end after the game against Arsenal at the Emirates.
Since the dismissal of Unai Emery, the Arsenal board came to the sudden realisation that they couldn’t wait to appoint a successor at the end of the season and so they began planning for a new coach after Arsenal players failed to respond wholeheartedly to interim coach, Freddie Ljundberg.
It’s understood that Arsenal football club have revived their interest in former gunners midfielder Mikel Arteta, fearing that he may be tempted by an offer from another of his former clubs, Everton.
Arsenal have already made contact with Manchester City and Arteta’s representatives to gage availability and interest and it’s believed Arteta has discussed the situation with Guardiola.
The majority of the Arsenal board were in favour of Arteta but former CEO Ivan Gazidis convinced them to appoint Unai Emery, which on reflection was a huge mistake.
He is however, back on their radar and is definitely on the list of the top three candidates that the club wish to speak to.
Arteta is said to be keen on the job but there are issues of concern that the Spaniard will want removed before he agrees.
The managerial set up at Arsenal is more complicated than at any other club in the premier league at present, with the responsibility for transfers in and out of the club shared by Raul Sanllehi and Edu.
Before that it was under the remit of Sven Mislintat, so Unai Emery was given the players that others decided should come to Arsenal.
Arteta won’t want that and Guardiola will have advised against any such agreement that restricts his chances of success in his first major managerial role.
Another consideration will be the size of the transfer kitty because Arsenal will need to spend big again and Arteta’s first priority will be to reinforce the gunners woeful defence.
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So what’s Ljundberg Offering That Emery Couldn’t
Their will be casualties as a long term partner is sought for the incoming and highly rated William Saliba.
There is also the small question of backroom staff appointments, with Arsenal keen to retain Ljundberg. However, Arteta may want to appoint key personnel in certain areas which could lead to conflict because of Arsenal’s current framework.
A number of Emery’s entourage have apparently been sidelined after the Spaniards early departure and Ljundberg is subsequently light on backroom support.
The deal for Arteta will be done next week unless the negotiations breakdown between Arsenal and Arteta over terms, but it appears the gunners hierarchy are ready to cut a deal with gate receipts dwindling, empty seats becoming more obvious and the growing uncertainty that is impacting the team.
Of course the process to find a successor continues regardless of their preference in case Arteta chooses not to take up the post and other candidates have been contacted and interviewed.
It’s been heavily suggested that the chosen few will have to fly out to the states to be vetted by the Kroenke’s but I’m convinced that this process will not become as public as that.
Others have hinted that Josh Kroenke will catch a last minute flight to liaise with Raul Sanllehi and Edu over the choice and at the last minute Stan Kroenke will rubber stamp the collective choice in a video call.
Come on, you didn’t expect Stan to show up did you ?
Supporters should be crossing their fingers that Arteta agrees to a deal or they may have no choice but to accept Carlo Ancelotti as a short term alternative.
Arteta’s arrival is anything but straight forward and it could fall flat at any point during negotiations because the Spaniard already has a great job with one of the best managers in the world, at one of the premier league’s top teams.
If common ground can’t be found over the issues I’ve already outlined, then his arrival could be dead in the water.
Arsenal will need to realise that although the club is still regarded as one of the top clubs in the country, it has lost its appeal due to lack of success in recent years and its current predicament doesn’t exactly make ot an attractive proposition.
I’m not saying they have to lower their expectations but they have to be realistic about their ability to attract the top names in management if they are unwilling to be flexible or concede some ground.
