Arsenal look like they could be closing in on their new manager.
The north London club’s chief executive, Vinai Venkatesham, has been pictured leaving Mikel Arteta’s Manchester mansion in the early hours of Monday morning.
Only hours earlier, Manchester City assistant boss Arteta had been at the Emirates helping to mastermind a 3-0 defeat of Arsenal.
Arsenal axed Unai Emery at the end of November and placed Freddie Ljungberg in interim charge.
But Ljungberg has been unable to oversee a turnaround in fortunes, with Sunday’s loss to the reigning Premier League champions meaning the Gunners have won just one of their last 12 games in all competitions.
Club chiefs have now ramped up their search for a permanent replacement for Emery, and it appears Arteta is the overwhelming favourite to land the job.
The Spaniard spent a successful five years at the Emirates as a player and had been in the running for the role in the summer following Arsene Wenger’s departure.
Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has also been mooted for the role in what would be a hugely controversial appointment, as has Carlo Ancelotti following his exit from Napoli.
But Venkatesham’s visit to Arteta’s house suggests a deal could be close for the 37-year-old to take over.
The bookmakers’ odds certainly suggest Arteta is nailed on to become Arsenal manager. Here’s the latest odds…
Next Arsenal manager
Mikel Arteta (Man City assistant) – 1/2
Carlo Ancelotti (unattached) – 5/1
Freddie Ljungberg (Interim boss) – 8/1
Massimiliano Allegri (former Juventus boss) – 11/1
Rafa Benitez (Dalian Yifang) – 12/1
Patrick Vieira (Nice) – 12/1
Mauricio Pochettino (former Tottenham boss) – 16/1
Eddie Howe (Bournemouth) – 18/1
Nuno Espirito Santo (Wolves) – 22/1
