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Arsenal chief pictured leaving Mikel Arteta's mansion as manager search steps up
Mikel Arteta has been strongly linked with taking over as the next permanent Arsenal manager.
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Arsenal could be closing in on making a permanent managerial appointment after Chief Executive Vinai Venkatesham was spotted leaving Mikel Arteta’s house in the early hours of Monday morning. Freddie Ljungberg took over from Unai Emery on an interim basis after the Spaniard was sacked last month.
Ljungberg has made it clear to the club that he wants to be considered for the role on a permanent basis.
But results have not picked up since the former Gunners icon took charge, winning just one from his five games in charge so far.
Speculation has been rife on who the club could target as their permanent manager moving forward, with the likes of Patrick Vieira and Carlo Ancelotti heavily linked.
However, it emerged over the weekend that Arteta was ready to take the job right away should it be offered to him.
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And it looks as though Arsenal could be moving forward with Arteta as their first choice target and talks may have already taken place.
Venkatesham was spotted leaving Arteta’s home in Manchester at 1.20am on Monday morning and the Arsenal chief appeared in high spirits as he hopped in his car.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola had previously said he wants Arteta to at least see out the season at the Etihad.
But the Spaniard has appeared to change his stance in recent days, opening the door to the former Arsenal captain to leaving City’s coaching staff.
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“He's part of the huge success we've had. He's an important, important part," he told Sky Sports .
“If it happens, it will happen. What is going to happen I don't know.
“When he wants to talk we are open to talk but it's private, I don't want to make things uncomfortable.”
Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat to City has left the club languishing in ninth and seven points adrift of the Champions League places.
The loss prompted strong words from Ljungberg towards the Arsenal board to make a decision sooner rather than later on who will be taking the club forward.
“I’ve said to them [the club] they need to make a decision,” he said.
“We are here to help and the staff are trying to chip in but a decision has to be made so we can have the same resources as other clubs.
“Per [Mertesacker] is an academy manager and he is doing two jobs in one go. It needs to be cleared up, to make a decision, so everybody knows.
“That’s something I’ve said. But then it’s totally up to the club. I’m very honoured and I try to do things as good as I can but it would be good to make a decision – regardless of what it is.”