Arsenal's board want to bring Manchester City assistant manager Mikel Arteta back to the club.

The Mirror says Arteta is the man Arsenal want to replace Unai Emery.

Manchester City's assistant is the first-choice of the Gunners' hierarchy as they seek to replace one Spanish boss with another.

The former Arsenal midfielder is keen on the move and Pep Guardiola, who may have blocked the switch, is open to Arteta furthering his career in frontline management.

Arteta came close to succeeding Arsene Wenger during 2018 close season when he was favourite for the job.

However, former Gunners' chief executive Ivan Gazidis intervened and the casting vote went in Emery's favour.

Gazidis has since moved on to AC Milan and there is a strong Spanish influence at Arsenal in the shape of head of football Raul Sanllehi.

He wants to retain that and will know all about Arteta as the former Everton man started out his career in Catalonia with Barcelona.