The former Gunners midfielder's return to the club is set to be announced in the coming days having overseen a major cull of their backroom staff
Mikel Arteta has agreed in principle to replace Arsene Wenger and become the new manager at Arsenal.
Sources close to the deal have told Goal that while no contract has yet been signed, the announcement of Arteta's return to the Emirates Stadium will be made in the coming days.
Arteta's arrival comes in the aftermath of a cull of boardroom staff at the Gunners, with the 36-year-old having played a major role in the recent sackings.
The Spaniard is currently assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and played a huge part in guiding them to their record-shattering Premier League title success this season.
Arteta is highly regarded by Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis, who believes a younger coach will slot into a modern European football structure, complemented by head of recruitment Sven Mislintat and new head of football relations Raul Sanllehi.
Arteta has already had a direct influence in a cull of backroom staff with long serving head of medical services Colin Lewin told that he would lose his job after 23 years as part of a medical department restructure.
It’s understood that Arteta made the recommendation for Lewin to leave as he blames him for rushing him back after an injury when he was Arsenal captain.
A number of players and staff were said to be shocked and upset by the decision to let Lewin go, with Neil Banfield, goalkeeping coach Gerry Peyton, fitness coach Tony Colbert and kit man Paul Johnson also leaving the club after years of service.
Arteta is expected to bring his own backroom staff on board, with reports linking Santi Cazorla as a potential addition to the coaching staff, while the futures of Steve Bould and Jens Lehmann remain uncertain despite both receiving offers to stay at Emirates Stadium.
enjoying
70
I really don't understand this from Arsenal's perspective. They are walking a tight rope making this kind of gamble after two consecutive seasons out of the top 4. What they need right now is someone to come in and immediately get results, meaning top 4 and CL football. No long term process, no "project", no focus on attractive football and bringing youngsters through. Get back into the CL first, ask questions later. They should have gone balls in on Allegri in my opinion. Another season out of the top 4 and they could find themselves in a vicious cycle of "we can't get back into the top 4 because the top players we need want to play in the CL". It happened to us.
ourselvef
65
This would have been like us permanently handing the reigns over to Giggs after Moyes, and I feel the same now as I did then (Giggs' personal baggage aside). It seems like a bad idea with a lot of unnecessary risk. Nothing against Arteta, but Arsenal have a mountain of uncertainty to climb next season. Even if it's not for the long-term, they should hire a manager that can maintain stability and prevent an outright freefall when Wenger's systemic influence is stripped away. Someone preferably with a proven record (or a few years of an upward trending career at the top level) and managerial name recognition for attracting new talent if possible. Why take the risk now and potentially derail Arteta's chances of success with the club? There's still plenty of time for him to come good without going through a trial by fire situation. Just my opinion.
lopacdkn
58
I am deeply concerned to read about Arsenal's decision to hand the reins of power to Arteta. I pray it's just a dream and would soon wake up to discover it's just not true. If what's being said is true about the club handing over the managerial duty to Arteta then I'm finished not just as Arsenal fan but one who loves clubs to grow. For me it's a massive downgrade, to bring in Mikel Arteta. It is now clear that the club lacks ambition and that Arsene Wenger is not responsible whatsover for all the problems the team have faced in recent years. We can now see clearer that Wenger was unfairly criticised; he's suffered unnecessarily. He was persecuted and crucified for the sin he never committed. The community of @WengerOut, comprising fans, pundits and players the world over now can see the reason why they have to apologise to the Professor for all that they made him endure. Wenger deserves an apology from all of us that saw him as the very problem of Arsenal and did everything to frustrate him and prematurely end his Arsenal tenure as manager. If it's Arteta that Arsenal will get immediately after Wenger then it's a big statement that the club is not ready to catch up with the modern European club football structure. One may argue that Barca have succeeded many times using their ex players to manage the team but they never used coachesc of Artera's pedigry and experience. The Barca culture and system is much more richer and sophisticated than what obtains at Arsenal you can't compare. If Arsenal truly have the ambition to return to the league of elite EPL and European football clubs as the owners promise the fans then this singular act of replacing Arsene with Arteta rubishes that ambition and reduces their promise to deceit. I hold nothing personal against Arteta, either as a person, player or manager and I don't doubt his managerial abilities but I have the strongest of convictions that Arsenal needed a bigger, stronger, louder and clearer statement of intent, going by where the club has found itself and the level that the game has reached botn in the country and in Europe. What the owners are telling us is that with Wenger or withot Wenger, they are not going to move forward. Agewise Arteta fits in, being an ex player he fits in. The effectious charisma is inadequate. The respect he attracts from the players and staff is deficient. He isn't yet the manager that atteacts the big players to the Emirates with ease. British media and pundits will make mincemeat of him. He can't endure the mind game masters-Morhinho and Conte, nor the tactics of Guardiola. Any ambitious that intends to return to the summit of the EPL will disregard these parameters. I know the owners want a docile manager that's not assertive; someone who will play their script and patiently bear in silence the wrath of the fans and the media while they rake in the millions. They won't get that in Henry and Viera, not to mention young coaches that have proven themselves such as Enrique and Tutche. I am downcast. May be we need to create a hash tag to seek Wenger's pardon...#4giveusArsene, #WeresorryWenger..
opinion
55
If I were an Arsenal fan I would be concerned that Arteta isn't capable of attracting the calibre of players you need more than anything else. He might well be a good manager but without the right players it could prove a real challenge, because your current squad just isn't capable of the top 4 and I think it will take more than a single summer to solve that. Especially without Champions League football. Even after one good season I still think players would be hesitant to throw their lot in with Arteta and Arsenal. This is especially true if you're in competition with Klopp, Mourinho, Pep, whoever Chelsea hire and maybe even Pottchetino (although he hasn't actually won anything) for signatures. Just look at how Moyes faired compared to Mourinho at United. One got Fellaini and the other got Pogba. Its going to be really interesting to watch it all unfold, I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes.
Soabcpz
54
I believe this new challenge for arteta will bring a positive u-turn in arsenals game mentality... Every successful coach started from somewhere.. Gardiola, luis henrique, allegri and the rest started from somewhere... I wish him all the best as he emerges as Arsenal manager
kitchen
42
People like a new challenge. It is a chance to prove you are the best of the best. Allegri for example will always have the spectre of "anyone could win Serie A with Juventus" hanging over him. Successful managers do make downwards moves fairly often. Arsenal still have some prestige and money (if they are willing to spend it) and would be a fairly attractive proposition to quite a few managers. Arsenal might've come 6th but it's clear the team isn't terrible on paper. A good manager will recognize they have a chance of turning Arsenal round, and the reputation they will get for doing so would be huge (especially if they do it succeeding Wenger).