WORK OF ART Arsenal to confirm Mikel Arteta on contract until 2023 with Spanish boss to take first training session Monday

The ex-Gunner is due to watch tomorrow’s clash at Everton from the directors’ box and take his first training session on Monday ahead of the Boxing Day trip to Bournemouth.

Mikel Arteta has agreed to become the new Arsenal boss on a contract until 2023
Credit: PA:Press Association

Interim manager Freddie Ljungberg will travel with the team this afternoon and remains in charge for the lunchtime Goodison match.

City were still waiting for the Gunners to hit the £2million figure they are demanding in compensation for Pep Guardiola’s No 2.

And there was more head-scratching at the Etihad over Arsenal’s conduct as they finally ended the four-day stand off and got in touch.

City had accused their Premier League rivals of showing disrespect for failing to engage in any dialogue.

But even though there had been no word from Gunners chiefs, their legal team contacted Etihad counterparts yesterday morning.

The champions felt it was a strange way of doing business, but accept their assistant boss is on his way.

Meanwhile the Spaniard’s representatives are thrashing out a deal worth a basic £5m-a-year with bonuses for European qualification and trophy success.

Arteta, 37, said some emotional goodbyes to City players yesterday after travelling back from Oxford with them on Wednesday night following their Carabao Cup quarter-final win.

But then he is believed to have headed back south and is set to attend an Emirates press conference at lunchtime.

Arsenal are still working out Arteta’s backroom staff but hope Ljungberg, 42, will stay as part of the coaching team.