MX23RW : Saturday, November 23 20:54:22| >> :60:794:794:

Arsenal cancel usual press conference as Arteta deal draws closer

The Gunners take on Everton on Saturday.

Arsenal are expected to appoint Mikel Arteta as their new head coach in the next 24 hours after postponing Thursday afternoon's scheduled press conference.

Interim boss Freddie Ljungberg was expected to face the media at the club's London Colney training ground at 1.30pm to preview the Gunners' trip to Everton on Saturday.

The Swede has taken charge of Arsenal since Unai Emery was sacked on November 29, but has overseen just one victory in his five-match tenure.

A 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester City on Sunday left the club seven points off fourth-placed Chelsea and the same number off the bottom three.

It led to the Arsenal hierarchy stepping up their plans to appoint Emery's successor, with managing director Vinai Venkatesham pictured outside Arteta's house in the early hours of Monday morning.

It is understood City are unhappy that Arsenal did not ask for permission to speak to Arteta and are especially annoyed because Pep Guardiola's side played at the Emirates on Sunday and no approach was made when club officials met.

City, however, do not have an issue with the 37-year-old and will allow him to make his own decision.

Arteta was alongside Guardiola on Wednesday night as the Premier League champions won 3-1 at Oxford to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Mikel Arteta was present at Oxford on Wednesday night for Manchester City's Carabao Cup win
Mikel Arteta was present at Oxford on Wednesday night for Manchester City's Carabao Cup win (Mike Egerton/PA)

Post-match, Guardiola insisted: "There was no change. I don't have any news. We prepared the game as best as possible. Before, during and now after and we did it.

"I spoke (Tuesday), my press conference I had 48 questions and 35 were about Mikel so I don't have to say anything more until there is news. When there is news, in my next (press) conference when you ask me something I will answer."

Arteta played more than 100 times for Arsenal before retiring in 2016 and is set to take up his first managerial role after three years as Guardiola's assistant.

ID:383421: cacheID:383421:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5087:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Duncan Ferguson in caretaker charge of Everton on December 18, 2019
Read Next:
Duncan Ferguson "really disappointed" as Everton lose on penalties
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!