Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis favours Mikel Arteta as departing manager Arsene Wenger's replacement.

Arteta is keen on an Emirates return after two years working as Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City.

The Sun says Gazidis has been pushing for Arteta since Wenger announced he was stepping down last month.

The Spaniard, 36, fits perfectly into the Gunners' long-term vision of how the club will be run after 22 years of Wenger's management.

Arsenal's head of football relations Raul Sanllehi is believed to favour a more experienced replacement for Wenger — but Gazidis is confident of overcoming his reservations.

Arteta spent five years as an Arsenal player before retiring in 2016.