The Arsenal hierarchy have reportedly identified Mikel Arteta as their first-choice candidate to replace Unai Emery as head coach.
This is according to our friends at the Mirror.
It's not the first time Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City has been linked with a return to the Emirates Stadium as this was the case after Arsene Wenger had stepped down from his position following over two decades at the club.
In fact, back in the summer of 2018 it looked like the former Gunners was to be appointed, only for Ivan Gazidis - chief executive at the time - got his wish to turn to Unai Emery instead.
Yet, things didn't quite work out for the Spaniard as he was sacked on Friday morning after overseeing a winless run of seven games across all competitions as well as a number of disappointing performances.
As a result, the process at Arsenal for the next head coach is already underway.
Arteta is one of the front-runners with many bookies, while Guardiola has hinted at not standing in the way of his compatriot should the Gunners make an approach to take him away from the Etihad Stadium.
And it would appear that Guardiola has a plan just in case that does happen.
It involves Giovanni van Bronckhorst as the Mirror claim the former Arsenal midfielder is viewed as the ideal replacement for Arteta if he were to make a return to north London.
After leaving Feyenoord at the end of last season, van Bronckhorst has been working at Man City and the Manchester Evening News have previously reported that he is simply gathering experience of how the club, and the City Football Group, runs its business.
The Dutchman has also stressed that returning to management is his target.
"I am doing well," he told Voetbal International. "I have been to Manchester a number of times and travel a lot.
"I see new things, experience new things and continue to develop. For me, that is very beautiful at the moment.
"Ultimately, I want to be a head coach again.
"That is the best thing for me. This is a great interim solution."
Could van Bronckhorst's next job be at Man City in either a head coach or assistant capacity?
If so, then that would be a huge boost to Arsenal's chances of appointing Arteta.
