Arsene Wenger wanted Arsenal to go Italian as they sought to replace him last year.

Wenger's 22-year spell in North London came to an end at the end of last season, and he was subsequently replaced by Unai Emery at Emirates Stadium.

But Carlo Ancelotti - who won the Premier League with Chelsea in 2010 - joined the Napoli club in the summer, though was seemingly interested in replacing Wenger at the Gunners before that.

“Arsenal-Napoli?" said Italian reporter Ciro Venerato when talking about the upcoming Europa League tie.

"I'll tell you a behind-the scenes story dating back to last summer when Arsene Wenger indicated Carlo Ancelotti as his possible heir and successor on the Arsenal bench.

“Carlo Ancelotti, as you know, has a Canadian wife and the whole family lives in London. So he was interested.

“Arsenal then chose Unai Emery and at that point Carlo Ancelotti signed for Napoli, but he did not forget that Arsenal rejected him."