Mikel Arteta is expected to be unveiled as the new Arsenal manager this month after the club made it clear that Patrick Vieira is not seriously in their thoughts.
The former French Gunner has been linked with the vacant position at the Emirates but Vieira, currently head coach of MLS side New York City FC, has apparently been left “disappointed” after being contacted by Arsenal.
According to Sky Sports, Vieira was left with the distinct impression that “the call was merely a token gesture to one of their former players”.
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Vieira was one of the early favourites to replace Arsene Wenger, who stepped down on Sunday after 22 years at the helm, with his 400-plus appearances for the Gunners a boon in the eyes of many. Not the board, however, who instead are “close” to appointing 36-year-old Arteta.
The Independent reports that yesterday witnessed “another day of progress and productive talks between the former player and the club”. Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has become increasingly convinced that the Spaniard, currently Pep Guardiola’s assistant coach at Manchester City, is the right man for the job.
Despite this belief, Gazidis will interview other candidates, although Sky Sports says that Thierry Henry “has not been contacted about the vacant role”.
Also out of the running is Hoffenheim’s highly-rated young boss Julian Nagelsmann. The club’s director of football Alexander Rosen has told the German media that “Nagelsmann will be our coach next season, 100%”.
Arteta meanwhile has reached the point in his negotiations with Arsenal where he has “named potential staff and the financial package required”, and among the people he wants working with him is Santi Cazorla.
The Spanish midfielder has been sidelined at Arsenal for 18 months with a serious ankle injury but the Independent says he “could be offered a new player-coaching deal” next season - if he wins his fitness battle.
As for Wenger’s long-time assistant, Steve Bould, he’s been offered a new role within the club - subject to approval from the new manager - but he’s also mulling over “a potential position at Stoke City”.
The Daily Telegraph says that whoever the new manager is he will have no say in the acquisition of Freiburg defender Caglar Soyuncu, identified by the club’s head of recruitment Sven Mislintat as a priority buy this summer.
The Telegraph says that Arsenal are in talks to sign the 21-year-old “and are believed to be prepared to agree a deal worth up to £35m”.
