Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Arsene Wenger is reportedly set to be appointed as AC Milan manager, his first role since departing Arsenal at the end of last season.

According to France Football (h/t ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson), the Frenchman, who spent over two decades in charge of the Gunners, will replace Gennaro Gattuso at the San Siro:

Gattuso has been in charge of the Rossoneri for just under a year.

He oversaw a sixth-place finish in Serie A last term, and after 11 matches of 2018-19, Milan sit fourth.

Milan's recent form has been good, with three victories in a row propelling them into the UEFA Champions League qualification spots.

MIGUEL MEDINA/Getty Images

Their recent wins against Genoa and Udinese have both come courtesy of last-minute goals.

Per Italian football writer David Amoyal, that should have relieved the pressure slightly on the 40-year-old:

But it now seems he is set to be replaced by the hugely experienced Wenger.

The 69-year-old recently said he planned to return to management "at the beginning of 2019," per Sky Sports (h/t Football Italia).

Meanwhile, former Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis is set to take up his new role at Milan at the beginning of December.

Milan's current priority is to return to the Champions League having not played in Europe's premier club competition since 2013-14.

Gattuso is just about meeting that criteria at the moment.

But Wenger, with his immense experience and remarkable track record with Arsenal, is arguably a much safer pair of hands to guide Milan back into the European elite.