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Arsenal cancel usual press conference as Arteta deal draws closer

Arsenal cancel usual press conference as Arteta deal draws closer
© Reuters
The Gunners take on Everton on Saturday.

Arsenal are expected to appoint Mikel Arteta as their new head coach in the next 24 hours after postponing Thursday afternoon's scheduled press conference.

Interim boss Freddie Ljungberg was expected to face the media at the club's London Colney training ground at 1.30pm to preview the Gunners' trip to Everton on Saturday.

The Swede has taken charge of Arsenal since Unai Emery was sacked on November 29, but has overseen just one victory in his five-match tenure.

A 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester City on Sunday left the club seven points off fourth-placed Chelsea and the same number off the bottom three.

It led to the Arsenal hierarchy stepping up their plans to appoint Emery's successor, with managing director Vinai Venkatesham pictured outside Arteta's house in the early hours of Monday morning.

It is understood City are unhappy that Arsenal did not ask for permission to speak to Arteta and are especially annoyed because Pep Guardiola's side played at the Emirates on Sunday and no approach was made when club officials met.

City, however, do not have an issue with the 37-year-old and will allow him to make his own decision.

Arteta was alongside Guardiola on Wednesday night as the Premier League champions won 3-1 at Oxford to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Mikel Arteta was present at Oxford on Wednesday night for Manchester City's Carabao Cup win
Mikel Arteta was present at Oxford on Wednesday night for Manchester City's Carabao Cup win (Mike Egerton/PA)

Post-match, Guardiola insisted: "There was no change. I don't have any news. We prepared the game as best as possible. Before, during and now after and we did it.

"I spoke (Tuesday), my press conference I had 48 questions and 35 were about Mikel so I don't have to say anything more until there is news. When there is news, in my next (press) conference when you ask me something I will answer."

Arteta played more than 100 times for Arsenal before retiring in 2016 and is set to take up his first managerial role after three years as Guardiola's assistant.

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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool17161042142849
2Leicester CityLeicester18123341142739
3Manchester CityMan City18122450203038
4Chelsea1810263325832
5Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd187742216628
6Wolverhampton WanderersWolves186932622427
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs187563226626
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd186752622425
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle187471824-625
10Burnley187382329-624
11Arsenal185852427-323
12Crystal Palace186571520-523
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton185582126-520
14Bournemouth185491925-619
15Everton185492029-919
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham175481928-919
17Southampton1853102137-1618
18Aston Villa1843112433-915
19Norwich CityNorwich1833121937-1812
20Watford1826101132-2112

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