Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis and influential director Josh Kroenke have identified Mikel Arteta as their preferred candidate to replace Arsene Wenger.
As revealed by Sportsmail on Wednesday, there is a push from key figures at the Emirates to appoint a younger coach with a fresh approach as they look to get the best out of the current squad.
Arteta and Patrick Vieira, who has also been spoken to about the role, are the two leading candidates should the club make a decision to head down that route.
But Gazidis - the figurehead of Arsenal's search for a new boss - and Kroenke, son of owner Stan, are understood to be leaning towards Arteta, who is first team coach at Manchester City.
There are others on the board - namely head of football relations Raul Sanllehi - who wants to appoint an experienced boss. Juventus manager Max Allegri is the leading contender if the club go down that road.
But Allegri has now indicated he will stay at Juventus next season, though Arsenal still want to discuss the role with the Italian before making a final decision.
Indeed, if Allegri is obtainable within the club's budget, appointing the Juve boss may well be an opportunity too good to resist.
But as it stands, Arteta, who is fully aware of Arsenal's interest, has edged ahead in the race to replace Wenger.
CristiC23
42
Arteta was one of the coaches Manchester City had for this season and he sat along Guardiola, one of the best voaches in the world(at least), so he must've learned something from him.If Arteta will be Arsenal's coach, it would be a fresh start for him and a big oportunity to become a great coach.I'm sure the fans will be with him if he does his job right. On the other hand, if Arsenal doesn't have a good form, Arteta could leave sooner than expected, which I really don't think it will happen because how can Arsenal be worse than finishing 6th in Premier League and trophyless, too?
dawkstyz
41
Before u destroy Arteta image bcos he is a rookie nd has no experience, look bck at people lik Pep and Zidane, they were rookies frm d feeders team nd they came up and steady a sinking ship,so for me I tink he has d quality nd understand Wat Arsenal stands for....once a gunner always a gunner
Vuwdklnruy
37
Actually we need a skillful coach who can make us lift a trophy and honor but not just appointing and what u know u spend money to attain good things but Arsenal staff don't want to spend and that is the main problem with the club.But I think Henry can work with Artete
Kucaeloy
28
i think Arsenal fc status as one of d big clubs in Europe is over blown given by their mediocre approach towards building a formidable team to win trophies They kept taking d feelings of their fans for a ride by not making serious moves to land "experienced and proven managers if i worked for d management 22 years ago with Wenger , that's then and not this time around where you could only be rewarded by your qualities and not by being crafty with finances Nowadays only quality managers attracts quality players
Cedklt
21
hahahahaha Arsenal will not kill me, 1st the person who brought the idea of Arteta must be very stupid, Arteta should go to league one team and start from there, and I don't know why my fellow Arsenal fans in England are so cool and speechless, thank God Arsenal is not in Nigeria.