Mikel Arteta is emerging as the leading candidate to permanently succeed Unai Emery as Arsenal head coach, but the Spaniard may have to pass an Apprentice style interview process if he wants to take charge of the club.

The Gunners are currently working through their list of potential successors to Emery, including interim coach Freddie Ljungberg, before holding interviews over the post.

Other than working through the names in the frame, Arsenal must also decide whether or not they will try to immediately appoint a permanent head coach or try to wait until the summer.

Arteta is now viewed as the leading candidate if Arsenal look to make an appointment during the season, but he is still likely to have to go through a lengthy interview process if he decides he wants the job.

With so many people involved in identifying the next man, Arsenal may split their executives over a series of interviews for candidates to undergo.

Sources believe head of football Raul Sanllehi and technical director Edu will pair up for one round of interviews, with director of football operations Huss Fahmy and managing director Vinai Venkatesham seeing candidates in a separate round of talks.