Arsenal have dropped a huge hint that the appointment of Mikel Arteta as their new head coach is imminent.
The former Gunners skipper has been tipped to take over from Unai Emery almost since the Spaniard was sacked three weeks ago.
Freddie Ljungberg has been entrusted with taking the reins since Emery's departure, although he has been unable to oversee an upturn in form, with the Gunners 10th in the Premier League table.
Arteta was in the running for the job when Arsene Wenger left in 2018, but the Arsenal hierarchy decided to go with Emery instead.
But 18 months later, Emery's time was up and Arsenal have returned to offer the job to Arteta this time.
The former player has no managerial experience, having been cutting his teeth as assistant manager to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
But Wenger was an unknown quantity when he was appointed as boss in 1996 and look how that turned out.
The Arsenal fans will be hoping for a similarly successful run with Arteta at the helm.
For all the rumour and speculation there has been no official announcement about Arteta from the club, who will wait until they are ready to share the news, of course.
But they have dropped their biggest hint yet that an appointment is imminent.
Ljungberg was due to see the media on Thursday for the regular press conference ahead of the weekend's game with Everton. But that has been cancelled.
In an email to members of the press, Arsenal confirmed: "Please note that today’s planned media conference to preview Saturday’s Premier League match against Everton (kick-off 12.30pm) has been postponed.
"Further details of the rescheduled media conference, which will take place on Friday 20th December, will be communicated in due course."
It stands to reason that a new man will be in charge and ready to take the press conference on Friday.
