Arsenal director Josh Kroenke has returned to America and is poised to approve Mikel Arteta’s appointment as the club’s new manager.
Arteta’s return to the Emirates Stadium is at an advanced stage following talks with the club’s kingmakers — head of football Raul Sanllehi, technical director Edu, managing director Vinai Venkatesham and head of football operations Huss Fahmy.
Josh Kroenke, son of Gunners owner Stan, has spent an extended period in England to help smooth the transition following the sacking of Unai Emery this month.
But with the club’s recruitment process virtually complete, Josh Kroenke has jetted back to the USA with Arteta’s appointment — baring a dramatic turn of events — expected to follow shortly.
He could be in place in time for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Everton — where the 37-year-old spent six years as a player.Arsenal are raiding Manchester City for another key members of their backroom team with talent-spotter Sam Fagbemi set to move to the Emirates.Arsenal’s move for Fagbemi is at an advanced stage and is expected to be concluded in the coming days, though City will fight to keep their highly-rated scout.
Fagbemi, 25, currently leads City’s youth scouting strategy in the south, working closely with head of academy recruitment and talent Joe Shields – who Arsenal have also tried to lure to the Emirates.
But Arsenal have offered Fagbemi a stronger grip on their youth recruitment approach in an effort to persuade him to leave City.
The City scout has been responsible for a number of southern-based youngsters joining the Etihad academy in recent months, something that has not gone unnoticed by the Gunners.
Fagbemi played a key role in City’s successful moves for Millwall teenagers Sam Edozie, 16, and Darko Gyabi, 15, in the summer.
Josh Wilson-Eshbrand, 16, joined from West Ham and Ben Knight, 17, signed from Ipswich in the summer – two moves that were fronted by Fagbemi.Not done,Arteta is expected to bring two other trusted aides of Pep.
But there is recognition behind the scenes that Arteta will need an experienced backroom team to assist him — given this would be his first time in the top seat.
Arteta will influence the make-up of his backroom team.
Spanish coaches Rodolfo Borrell, who is also currently at City, and Domenec Torrent, who has worked with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and the Etihad Stadium, are two being suggested as likley to move to Arsenal.
Guardiola confirmed City were unhappy with Arsenal’s conduct after the topic of Arteta was not broached by directors on Sunday and suggested the Spaniard would have a big job on his hands at the Emirates. ‘Arsene Wenger raised the club to another level and now they are struggling a little bit the last years,’ he added.
‘If he stays at City I’d be happy, incredible, because we all work together really well — hopefully he can feel the same as me.
‘He knows exactly what we think about him at this club. I think the club has done everything and we cannot do anymore.’