Arsenal are preparing themselves for worst case scenario if their manager Mikel Arteta decides to leave north London for the lure of Real Madrid in the summer. As a result, Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly seen as Mikel Arteta’s prospective successor by many at the top of the Arsenal hierarchy.
The speculation comes amid claims that Mikel Arteta is being courted by Real Madrid, the defending European champions, to assume the helm at the Santiago Bernabeu. The 41-year-old has had a great season leading the Arsenal to the top of the Premier League standings with an eight-point lead over Manchester City, who are their closest title rivals.
Mikel Arteta attracting Europe’s elite clubs with Real leading the chase
There are only a few clubs that are harder to turn down than Real Madrid who have won the Champions League 14 times, recently doing so last year when Carlo Ancelotti’s mean pipped Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool 1-0 in the final. Mikel Arteta who is now drawing some high-profile clubs from across Europe, is also coveted by the Los Blancos.
As a result, Italian media source Tuttosport claim that the Gunners are discreetly considering what life would be like without Arteta if he were to leave in the future. The Gunners’ boss had issued an honest reply When quizzed about the links to Real Madrid last month. Arteta had said:
“It’s things that managers or players can’t control what is written. What I can tell is that I’m fully focused on what I’m doing here and extremely proud and grateful to do what I’m doing in this football club. That’s it.”
Despite this, rumours that De Zerbi might be the next in line are still extensive. The Italian arrived at the Amex Stadium in September of last year, replacing Graham Potter, and has since helped the Seagulls progress and even inspire dreams of European football at the club. It is speculated that Arsenal have sent signals to Edoardo Crnjar, the agent of the Brighton manager, indicating that they might be interested in hiring the Italian.
Some believe that after three and a half years in the position, Mikel Arteta would consider his time at the Emirates to be up if he can oversee the incredible feat of winning the Premier League this season and unseating defending champions City. However, De Zerbi’s current contract with the Amex makes bringing him in as a replacement a difficult proposition for the Gunners; any potential suitor would have to pay £13 million to get him out.
It is crucial to remember that a lot would need to happen for these events to occur, and nothing solid is anticipated to take place until the season ends. There are still nine league games left for the Gunners, including some challenging away trips to the Etihad, Anfield, and St. James’ Park. Whether Mikel Arteta leads his young side to the title by the end of May could be decided by these three games.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are not the only ones who are monitoring De Zerbi. Inter Milan are also rumoured to be interested in the Italian since they might have a vacancy as well this summer. Simone Inzaghi, their current manager, is under fire after his team dropped to fourth in Serie A. Nonetheless, Inter and Juventus are tied at 1-1 heading into the home leg of their Italian Cup semifinal matchup. Also, San Siro club will play Benfica this month in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.