The Gunners are preparing for life after Wenger, who has 18 months left on his contract (Getty)

Arsenal’s board have earmarked Manchester City coach Mikel Arteta as their preferred choice to replace Arsene Wenger, according to reports.

The veteran French manager agreed a two-year contract extension over the summer and is likely to step aside when it expires, with the club already drawing up a list of potential successors.

And, according to the Telegraph, it is Arteta – who captained the Gunners for two years – who is top of their wish list after rapidly building his reputation as a coach under Pep Guardiola.

Arteta has boosted his reputation as a coach under Guardiola’s tutelage (Picture: Getty)

The Spaniard opted to join Man City when he retired from playing, though had been offered coaching roles by both Wenger and north London rival Mauricio Pochettino.




His stock has increased greatly at the Etihad, completing his coaching badges and playing an important role in City’s march to the top of the table – notably helping Raheem Sterling improve his finishing.

City consider Arteta a worthy successor to Guardiola when he eventually leaves, though the club are currently trying to extend the Catalan coach’s contract.

That would leave former Arsenal and Everton midfielder Arteta needing to leave the club to find his first job in management – and Wenger’s potential departure could be perfectly timed.

Wenger had wanted Arteta to coach at Arsenal, but the lure of Guardiola was too strong (Getty)

Arsenal have cast their eye over several managers previously, such as Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti and Leonardo Jardim, though consider none a stand-out candidate.

But Arteta appeals to the board on a variety of levels and has won plenty of admirers with his work at City – though, interestingly, Josh Kroenke would pick Thierry Henry over Arteta and is a huge fan of the Frenchman.