Mikel Arteta set for Arsenal job: Manchester City will not stand in assistant manager’s way as talks continue

Arsenal are understood to be closing in on the appointment of Mikel Arteta as their new manager.

Emirates chiefs were pictured leaving Arteta’s home in Manchester in the early hours of Monday morning after talks with the Man City assistant over succeeding the sacked Unai Emery.

Managing director Vinai Venkatesham and club lawyer Huss Fahmy reportedly spent two-and-a-half hours in discussions with the Spaniard.

The house visit came only hours after Arsenal had been soundly beaten by Man City at the Emirates, with Arteta on the opposing bench.

Arteta, who spent five years as a player at Arsenal, has informed City chiefs of the talks and Pep Guardiola will not stand in his way of leaving.

The reigning champions are, however, expected to demand a significant compensation fee from their Premier League rivals for the 37-year-old, who has been part of their coaching staff since 2016.

The situation with Arteta could become clearer on Tuesday, with City boss Guardiola due to give a press conference ahead of his side’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Oxford.

Arteta came close to being appointed Arsenal boss in May 2018 following Arsene Wenger’s departure but was overlooked for Emery.

After Emery was sacked at the end of last month, Freddie Ljungberg was placed in interim charge but the Swede has only won one match in charge since being handed the reins.

And Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to City increased the need for the Gunners to end the uncertainty over the manager’s position, leaving the club as close to the relegation zone as they are to the top four.