Carlo Ancelotti is among the favourites to succeed Unai Emery as Arsenal manager but, despite his sacking by Napoli on Tuesday night, Graeme Souness doubts the Italian would want the job.

Arsenal’s search for the permanent successor to Emery continues with interim boss Freddie Ljungberg admitting after their victory over West Ham that he’d been told to work on a “game-to-game” basis.

Those instructions have come from the club’s technical director Edu, with the Gunners having just experienced their worst top-flight run since 1977.

And Premier League pundit Souness, who himself managed in the Premier League with Newcastle United, Southampton and Blackburn Rovers after a successful playing career with Liverpool and Rangers, questions whether a manager of Ancelotti’s calibre would consider joining Arsenal in their demise.

"Would the big managers take Arsenal at the moment? I'm not so sure," he told Virgin Sport Media.

Frontrunners to replace Emery at Arsenal, according to bookmakers 9 show all Frontrunners to replace Emery at Arsenal, according to bookmakers 1/9 Next Arsenal manager Who will take the hotseat at the Emirates? REUTERS 2/9 Mikel Arteta Position: Man City assistant coach



Odds: 1/4 AFP/Getty Images 3/9 Massimiliano Allegri Position: Unemployed/Former Juventus manager



Odds: 3/1 REUTERS 4/9 Carlo Ancelotti Position: Unemployed, sacked by Napoli



Odds: 13/1 AFP via Getty Images 5/9 Eddie Howe Position: Bournemouth boss



Odds: 19/1 Getty Images 6/9 Freddie Ljungberg Position: Arsenal coach



Odds: 20/1 Harriet Lander/Getty Images 7/9 Patrick Vieira Position: Nice



Odds: 20/1 AFP via Getty Images 8/9 Marcelino Position: Former Valencia boss



Odds: 39/1 AFP via Getty Images/Miguel Riopa 9/9 Mauricio Pochettino Position: Unemployed, sacked by Tottenham



Odds: 43/1 AFP via Getty Images 1/9 Next Arsenal manager Who will take the hotseat at the Emirates? REUTERS 2/9 Mikel Arteta Position: Man City assistant coach



Odds: 1/4 AFP/Getty Images 3/9 Massimiliano Allegri Position: Unemployed/Former Juventus manager



Odds: 3/1 REUTERS 4/9 Carlo Ancelotti Position: Unemployed, sacked by Napoli



Odds: 13/1 AFP via Getty Images 5/9 Eddie Howe Position: Bournemouth boss



Odds: 19/1 Getty Images 6/9 Freddie Ljungberg Position: Arsenal coach



Odds: 20/1 Harriet Lander/Getty Images 7/9 Patrick Vieira Position: Nice



Odds: 20/1 AFP via Getty Images 8/9 Marcelino Position: Former Valencia boss



Odds: 39/1 AFP via Getty Images/Miguel Riopa 9/9 Mauricio Pochettino Position: Unemployed, sacked by Tottenham



Odds: 43/1 AFP via Getty Images

"I don't think the next man at Arsenal is going to be the one to turn the corner for them. I think there's a lot of work to be done there, especially with those players.

"I think [Ancelotti] is a big manager and if you look at the jobs he's had - Real Madrid, PSG, Chelsea - you know Arsenal are a fabulous club, but right now it's a difficult job, whoever gets it."