Mikel Arteta wants guarantee from Arsenal board before accepting manager’s job

Manchester City coach Mikel Arteta is very interested in
taking over at Arsenal but reportedly wants guarantees from
the club’s board before engaging in further talks.
The Gunners axed Unai Emery at the end of last month after
a terrible run of form, with interim boss Freddie Ljungberg
finally securing a Premier League victory at the third time of
asking to end their two-month barren run.
Arsenal are casting their net wide in the hunt for a
permanent successor to Emery, with as many as 10
candidates likely to be interviewed .

Former Valencia manager Marcelino reportedly flew into
London for talks earlier in the week, while axed Napoli boss
Carlo Ancelotti has been linked with an instant return to
management with the Gunners.

Arteta, though, is the favourite to get the gig full-time, but
The Sun report that he is seeking assurances over the nature
of the project at Arsenal before going any further.
While he is keen to return to his former club, and become a
manager in his own right after several years as Pep
Guardiola’s assistant, he wants a guarantee over what is on
offer and their plans for the club.

Whoever takes over at Arsenal faces a testing period, with
two of the club’s star players – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
and Alexandre Lacazette – out of contract in 18 months.
Arteta is also conflicted about leaving City and Guardiola
midway through the season, particularly with the side
struggling in the Premier League and falling 14 points adrift
of rivals Liverpool.

Guardiola has made no secret of his desire to keep Arteta
and has hinted that he would be the ideal replacement to
take over at the Etihad when he himself eventually leaves.
Arsenal are believed to be keen to bring in a manager who
has ties to the club, giving Arteta – who used to skipper the
side – an advantage, though technical director Edu favours
Gunners legend Patrick Vieira .