Arsene Wenger could quit Arsenal this summer, eyeing Mikel Arteta as hand-picked successor

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger could cut short his latest contract and move into the boardroom in the summer.

But if that happens, the Frenchman wants his own man installed as his successor – a plan which won’t be universally welcomed at the Emirates.

One of the names in the frame is former Gunner Mikel Arteta, who is impressing as a coach alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Arteta certainly left a lasting impression with Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis, using some of the money raised in club fines to buy the American a prestigious watch.

As official collector of the money from players’ misdemeanours, the ‘present’ came as a surprise to some of Arteta’s team-mates.

But Arteta’s organisational skills on and off the training ground have impressed Wenger as he contemplates his future.

Despite growing criticism from many Gunners fans, Wenger refused to end his reign last May and instead penned a new two-year deal.

But his current arrangement contains a clause which allows both parties to review the situation at the end of the season and Wenger harbours doubts about continuing beyond the summer.

With that in mind, he has been making contingency plans in case he does bring what would be a near 22-year reign to a close.

There have been informal talks with Arteta, but there will be pressure from some members of the Arsenal hierarchy to bring in their own man rather than take Wenger’s advice.