Three-time Champions League winner, and former Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti is among the candidates being considered by Arsenal as a possible long-term successor to Unai Emery, who has been sacked.

The steep decline in form under the Spanish coach, whose Arsenal side lost at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday, has prompted his dismissal, with Ancelotti among the options for Emery's replacement.

The decision will be made by a small group of executives at the club, technical director and former player Edu Gaspar and Raul Sanllehi the head of football, whose recommendation will then have to be endorsed by the Kroenke family.

Freddie Ljungberg will take responsibility for the first team as interim head coach, ahead of Sunday’s trip to Norwich City, which will give Arsenal time to make a longer-term appointment.

Other long-term options, including Ancelotti and Wolverhampton Wanderers coach Nuno Espirito Santo, are under contract and much more difficult to appoint mid-season. The Manchester City manager assistant Mikel Arteta is another candidate.