Arsenal have stepped away from making Luis Enrique the managerial successor to Arsene Wenger, although the former Barcelona coach remains the bookmakers’ favourite for the job. The Sunday Times understands that senior executives consider Enrique an inappropriate fit to the position.

A Champions League and double La Liga winner before stepping down as Barca coach last year, Enrique would have been expensive, with his salary demands exceeding the pay of the man Arsenal invited to step down at the end of this season. More importantly, it is felt that Enrique’s self-absorbed approach to management would not mesh with the London club’s restructuring strategy. The 47-year-old does, however, remain a strong candidate to replace Antonio Conte as Chelsea coach.

Arsenal remain in the early stages of