Arsenal 'considering Mikel Arteta as Arsene Wenger replacement'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 05 March 2018

Arsenal 'eye Arteta as Wenger replacement'

Arsenal reportedly identify former player and current Manchester City assistant Mikel Arteta as a possible replacement for Arsene Wenger as manager.

Arsenal have reportedly earmarked Manchester City assistant coach Mikel Arteta as a potential successor to Arsene Wenger.

Pressure on the club to part company with Wenger after 22 years continues to grow, with the Gunners now sitting 13 points adrift of the Champions League places and 33 points off Premier League leaders Man City.

Wenger remained defiant following his side's 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday - Arsenal's fourth loss in a row across all competitions - but the club are thought to be weighing up their options.

The Mirror reports that Arsenal have been impressed with Arteta's work alongside Pep Guardiola at Man City and could look to bring the Spaniard back to the Emirates Stadium, where he spent five years as a player from 2011 to his retirement in 2016.

However, the Gunners could face competition from another one of Arteta's former clubs, with Everton also understood to have identified the 35-year-old as a possible replacement for the under-fire Sam Allardyce.

Reports have also suggested that Everton will look to appoint Wenger should the Frenchman step down from his Arsenal post before the end of his current contract, which does not expire until the end of next season.