Arsenal chiefs have reportedly shortlisted Pep Guardiola assistant at Man City Mikel Arteta as their top target to replace sacked Unai Emery.
The Gunners are in the market in search for Emery's successor after pulling the plug on the Spaniard's torrid spell at the Emirates.
Emery replaced Arsene Wenger 18 months ago with a fine reputation after winning the French Ligue One title with PSG and three Europa League titles at Sevilla.
However, his tenure at the Gunners was marked with underwhelming performances, leading to his sacking on Friday, November 29.
Whereas Freddie Ljungberg has since been hired on interim capacity, the Arsenal board is understood to be drawing up a shortlist of managers to succeed Emery on a full-time basis.
Sacked Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, Brendan Rodgers, Max Allegri, Patrick Vieira and Nuno Espirito Santo have all made the shortlist for the Emirates hot-seat.
But Arsenal have made Arteta their top target, with Mirror Sport reporting the ex-Arsenal captain has emerged the club's first-choice target.
Arteta is understood to be keen on the job, having enjoyed a spell at Arsenal as a player, while Guardiola is also open to allowing the Spaniard to leave to advance his career.
The Spaniard was widely linked with a move to north London side after Arsene Wenger's exit but former chief executive Ivan Gazidis preferred Emery.
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