Arsenal director Josh Kroenke has returned to America and is poised to approve Mikel Arteta's appointment as the club's new manager.
Arteta's return to the Emirates Stadium is at an advanced stage following talks with the club's kingmakers — head of football Raul Sanllehi, technical director Edu, managing director Vinai Venkatesham and head of football operations Huss Fahmy.
Josh Kroenke, son of Gunners owner Stan, has spent an extended period in England to help smooth the transition following the sacking of Unai Emery this month.
But with the club's recruitment process virtually complete, Josh Kroenke has jetted back to the USA with Arteta's appointment — baring a dramatic turn of events — expected to follow shortly.
He could be in place in time for Saturday's Premier League clash against Everton — where the 37-year-old spent six years as a player.
Arsenal's holding company Kroenke Sports and Entertainment is based in Denver, Colorado. As revealed by Sportsmail yesterday, the Spaniard wants the job and is prepared to leave his role as Manchester City's No 2 immediately.
He has been in discussions over what is understood to be a three-and-a-half-year contract at the Emirates Stadium.
Despite his managerial inexperience, Arteta will command a salary close to Emery's £5million-a-season package. But there is recognition behind the scenes that Arteta will need an experienced backroom team to assist him — given this would be his first time in the top seat.
Arteta will influence the make-up of his backroom team.
Spanish coaches Rodolfo Borrell, who is also currently at City, and Domenec Torrent, who has worked with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and the Etihad Stadium, are two being suggested as likley to move to Arsenal.
Guardiola yesterday confirmed that Arteta will be in the City dug-out for tonight's Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Oxford United but his pending return to the club he made 149 appearances for between 2011 and 2016 will accelerate in the next 48 hours.
The City boss has confirmed Arteta informed him of his talks with the Gunners, saying: 'He's talking with Arsenal so I don't know what is going to happen. I knew about the meeting. He was incredibly honest and transparent with me. He is travelling to Oxford, yes.'
Guardiola claimed that he takes any interest shown in his staff by other clubs as a compliment and said of Arteta: 'He knows exactly what we want, what we'd like, but at the end it's his decision.'
Guardiola confirmed City were unhappy with Arsenal's conduct after the topic of Arteta was not broached by directors on Sunday and suggested the Spaniard would have a big job on his hands at the Emirates. 'Arsene Wenger raised the club to another level and now they are struggling a little bit the last years,' he added.
'If he stays at City I'd be happy, incredible, because we all work together really well — hopefully he can feel the same as me.
'He knows exactly what we think about him at this club. I think the club has done everything and we cannot do anymore.'