Mikel Arteta looks close to being confirmed as Arsenal’s new head coach, with the club’s hierarchy seemingly in agreement over the Spaniard.

The 38-year-old is currently an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City – where he has been since 2016, when he retired from playing whilst in Arsenal colours.

During his five-year spell with The Gunners, Arteta emerged as a popular figure with the Arsenal fans and he is now it seems he is to be welcomed back at the helm, succeeding club legend Arsene Wenger.

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis, head of football relations Raul Sanllehi and head of recruitment Sven Mislintat conducting the search and Arteta has emerged as the leading candidate in recent days with Juventus boss Max Allegri and Hoffenheim’s Julian Nagelsmann opting to stay put, whilst the cost of Luis Enrique is beyond what want to do.

Club legend Patrick Vieira was still hoping he could land the role but Arteta is seemingly the preferred candidate and is now odds-on to land the job, and has been back into 1/2 with Coral.

“It is one way traffic in the betting for the next Arsenal manager and it seems as though everybody is convinced that Arteta is the man to step into Wenger’s shoes,” said Coral’s Harry Aitkenhead.