Arsenal report: Roberto De Zerbi could replace outgoing Mikel Arteta this summer

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could leave London this summer, according to one outlandish report linking the Gunners with Brighton boss, Roberto De Zerbi

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on April 9, 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
(Image credit: Dave Howarth - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could leave north London this summer for the Real Madrid job after almost four years in the job.

That's the incredible claim made by one outlet that says that the European champions are considering boyhood Barcelona supporter Arteta as Carlo Ancelotti's successor. 

What's more, the Gunners could appoint Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian has been incredibly impressive since taking the reins at the south coast, with the Seagulls flying high in the league.

Roberto De Zerbi, Manager of Brighton & Hove Albion applauds fans after the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Brentford Community Stadium on October 14, 2022 in Brentford, England.

Roberto De Zerbi is being linked with the Arsenal job (Image credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

According to Tuttosport, Arsenal have the Brighton manager high up on the shortlist to replace Arteta, should the Basque boss depart the club.

Arteta currently has a deal lasting until 2025. His stewardship of Arsenal this season, however, has led to interest from the likes of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, both of whom he represented as a player. Arteta was linked with PSG as long ago as last March.

While there's probably no doubt that Real Madrid are impressed with Arteta, it seems particularly unlikely that he would leave Arsenal this summer. 

The north Londoners have put up a solid title challenge and could still win the Premier League, finding themselves six points ahead of Manchester City. With Arteta stressing that his side have not yet reached their full potential, an exit now would see him leave before his work has been completed.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds the fans at full-time of the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on April 1, 2023 in London, United Kindom.

Mikel Arteta's work at Arsenal is very unlikely to be done already (Image credit: Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty Images)

Plus, there's the pull of Arsenal emotionally, for Arteta. The 41-year-old originally took a pay cut to join the team as a player, captained them and has spoken about his love for the club frequently during his career.

Arteta has a win percentage of 58.1 per cent. 

More Arsenal stories

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, sparking rumours that the Gunners could have to fight to keep their No.9. Manager Mikel Arteta has identified nine players who could leave this summer – while Rasmus Hojlund is a target up front, along with Leeds star Wilfried Gnonto.

Elsewhere, Gabri Veiga has been rumoured to be on Arsenal's radar, as has AC Milan star Brahim Diaz. Declan Rice is thought to be this summer's big target, with Oleksandr Zinchenko sharing a word with him when Ukraine played England, setting tongues wagging. 

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.