Former Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery is set to be named the new Arsenal boss, according to reports in England.
Although the Gunners refused to confirm the news on Monday, the Spaniard appears to have won the race to succeed Arsene Wenger.
Former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique and Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri had initially been considered among the leading candidates to replace the Frenchman, whose 22-year tenure came to an end this season.
Ex-Arsenal player Mikel Arteta, a member of Pep Guardiola's coaching staff at Premier League champions Manchester City, then emerged as a surprise frontrunner.
However, according to the UK press, the Spaniard's interest in the position has cooled, and compatriot Emery's appointment is expected to be finalised this week.
His PSG tenure produced one Ligue 1 title, two Coupe de France crowns and two Coupe de la Ligue successes.
But the 46-year-old failed to end the club's wait for Champions League success and PSG were also usurped by Monaco as domestic title-winners during his first campaign in charge.
Emery is also believed to have endured a strained relationship with superstar forward Neymar, acquired from Barcelona for €222m in August.
The former Valencia boss enjoyed notable Europa League success with Sevilla, winning UEFA's secondary club competition in three consecutive seasons from 2014 to 2016.
The next Arsenal manager will be charged with trying to restore the team to regular Champions League qualification and Premier League title contention, the Gunners having now missed out on elite continental competition in back-to-back campaigns.
Arsenal have not won the Premier League title since 2003-04, and, despite the arrival of Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in January, they face a tough task closing the widening gap on the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool, as well as London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham, having finished sixth in Wenger's final season at the helm.
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