Manchester City are to ask Mikel Arteta to clarify his future after Arsenal’s chief executive was picture leaving his home, according to Sky Sports.
The former midfielder is seen as the favourite to take over at the Emirates Stadium after Vinai Venkatesham and club lawyer Huss Fahmy were snapped leaving Arteta’s home during the early hours of this morning.
The pair are reported to have held a two-and-a-half hour meeting with Pep Guardiola’s assistant before leaving at around 1.20am.
Arsenal have been without a permanent manager since the sacking of Unai Emery last month, with former midfielder Freddie Ljungberg placed in charge as interim manager as the club began their search.
The Swede has overseen five games in all competitions, but has won just one game during that time against West Ham.
The Gunners fell to a 3-0 defeat to Man City on Sunday, with Arteta in the opposition dugout alongside Guardiola.
But the Spaniard, who spent five years at Arsenal before heading to the Etihad Stadium, now looks to be clear frontrunner to succeed Emery.
With the emergence of the pictures of Venkatesham and Fahmy leaving Arteta’s home this morning, City are now reported to be looking for clarification on his future.
Asked about Arteta on Sunday, Guardiola told Sky Sports: "He is part of the huge success we’ve had. An important part.
"You know I think ultimately he knows because we’ve spoke two or three times on my opinion with him at the club about Mikel. What will happen will happen.
"I think he’s part of our staff so what is going to happen I don’t know. We talked. We’ve had offers. Had many offers. More than us.
"At the end it’s personal. If he wants to talk we’ll talk but it’s private. I don’t want to make him uncomfortable."
