Speculation over Carlo Ancelotti's future has intensified after the Italian was sacked by Napoli.
Just hours after the Serie A side beat Genk 4-0 to qualify for the Champions League last-16, Ancelotti was relieved of his duties, with Napoli making a statement on their official website: "SSC Napoli has taken the decision to part ways with first-team coach Carlo Ancelotti.
"The friendship and mutual respect between the club, president Aurelio de Laurentiis and Carlo Ancelotti remain intact."
Ancelotti has faced a difficult season on and off the pitch at the Stadio San Paolo, with he and his players involved in a high profile dispute with president Aurelio de Laurentiis.
The club were also on a nine-match winless streak before Tuesday night's win over Genk, and Ancelotti leaves the Naples side seventh in the table, 17 points behind leaders Inter Milan.
Former Chelsea boss Ancelotti has been linked with a move to Arsenal or Everton in recent days, with both sides on the lookout for a new manager after the sackings of Unai Emery and Marco Silva respectively.
Reports claim Arsenal are keen on talks with the 60-year-old, as they look to finalise their shortlist of candidates to take over at the Emirates.
Manchester City assistant coach and ex-Gunners midfielder Mikel Arteta is also thought to be among the favourites, along with Nice manager Patrick Vieira.
But in the wake of Ancelotti's departure from Napoli, Arsenal supporters took to social media with a theory of why the Italian could opt to move to north London instead of Everton.
Arsenal summer signings Nicolas Pepe and Kieran Tierney were both lured to the Emirates despite heavy competition from across Europe. Indeed, Napoli were heavily linked with Pepe and were reportedly ready to match the Gunners' bid for the Ivorian winger.
Asked in July about the prospect of missing out on Pepe, Ancelotti replied: "I’m not disappointed. I don’t like to talk about players of other teams.
"The market is so long. We are looking. If there are opportunities, we can do it."
Napoli were also linked with Tierney, but Ancelotti scotched the rumours: "He’s a really good player. A Celtic player. We have two good left backs."
Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira has also been a reported target of the Serie A side in recent seasons, amid claims the Uruguayan is unhappy and is keen on a return to Italy.
Bernd Leno, one of Arsenal's most impressive performers this season, was another linked to Napoli before he joined the Gunners from Bayer Leverkusen.
