Manchester City assistant coach and former Gunner Mikel Arteta remains the leading candidate for the head coach job, according to reports.

Goal write that Mikel Arteta “remains the leading candidate” to replace Unai Emery at Arsenal, despite links to a number of other managers in the last few days.

Rumours of Arsenal talks with former Valencia boss Marcelino, recently-sacked Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti and Bordeaux head coach Paulo Sousa are all circulating, but none of them seem all that likely to lead to something.

Goal report that the Gunners are looking for a younger option than Ancelotti. Meanwhile, neither Marcelino nor Sousa are leading contenders. Patrick Vieira is a little more attractive to the Arsenal hierarchy but Arteta remains out in front.

For the time being, Arsenal seem willing to stick with Freddie Ljungberg. The Swede won his first game as interim head coach on Monday. Perhaps just as importantly, he finally picked a team to excite the fans. That hasn’t been an easy task this season.

Another win on Thursday and avoiding defeat on Sunday could do wonders for morale all around. A pair of bad results and the managerial search may speed up a bit.