Arsenal are confident of concluding a deal to appoint Mikel Arteta as their new head coach on a three-and-a-half year deal, but the Spaniard's arrival is not universally popular if social media is anything to go by.
Arteta held talks with Gunners director Josh Kroenke - son of owner Stan - on Monday night, and it is thought the appointment of the former Arsenal midfielder has been approved by those at the top of the club.
The 37-year-old is set to be in the Manchester City dugout for their Carabao Cup quarter-final at Oxford United on Wednesday night, but an announcement from Arsenal could come once the game is finished, which means Arteta is likely to take charge of the Gunners for their trip to Everton at the weekend.
Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham, and director of football operations, Huss Fahmy were pictured leaving Arteta’s Manchester home in the early hours of Monday morning, which reportedly left City angered by the lack of contact between the clubs.
But City boss Pep Guardiola said his assistant head coach was transparent with him throughout the process.
“Mikel was honest with me," Guardiola said.
"Arsenal - we were there two days ago. They were talking with our sporting director, the CEO and didn’t say anything.
“I don’t know if the meeting was at one at night because they didn’t want to make it public, but in the end it was public.
“I think Arsenal want to do the best thing possible. Sometimes it’s not easy to handle this kind of situation. We cannot deny that all the clubs around the world make behind the scenes the first contact to try to avoid the clubs that are in charge.
“All I can say from what I’m concerned is that Mikel was clear with me and that’s all. Perhaps there is a problem with the chairmen and the CEOs - they have to talk to each other.”
Arteta's arrival has reportedly sparked concerns among the Arsenal dressing room, with many feeling the club should have appointed Everton-bound Carlo Ancelotti.
According to The Mirror , Arteta could find some of his senior players struggling to buy into his appointment because they were in favour of the vastly-experienced Italian taking over from Unai Emery.
The reported stance from some players appears to mirror those of their families - especially in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's case.
Aubameyang's brother Willy replied to a post on Instagram to offer his opinion on Arteta's arrival by writing: 'Ljungberg, Arteta is the same, no experience,' followed by some frowning face emojis.
