Allegri appears unlikely to leave Juventus for Arsenal

The Italian has been named among the favourites to replace Arsene Wenger.

Juventus are optimistic of keeping hold of coach Massimiliano Allegri as rumours he will replace Arsene Wenger at Arsenal cool.

The 50-year-old led Juve to a fourth successive Serie A and Coppa Italia double this season and has been heavily linked with replacing Wenger at the Emirates Stadium.

Allegri’s name emerged as one of the frontrunners following Arsenal’s announcement last month that Wenger would step down after 22 years in charge.

Allegri has won four successive doubles in Italy following his appointment as Juventus boss in 2014. (Mike Egerton/PA)

The club also seem keen to keep the former AC Milan boss in place, with Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta insisting there is a “willingness” for Allegri to stay put.

“On our side there is great optimism,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Marotta (right) is optimistic that Allegri will stay at Juventus. (Mike Egerton/EMPICS)

“We are going to have a meeting with him in the next few days. The manager demonstrated that he is great and I think our relationship can go on.”

With Allegri seemingly dropping out of the race to replace Wenger, who oversaw victory at Huddersfield in his 1,235th and last game at the helm on Sunday, former Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has become favourite with several bookmakers.

Former Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta has been linked with a return as Wenger's replacement — Former Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta has been linked with a return as Wenger’s replacement. (Mike Egerton/EMPICS)

Guardiola said on Sunday he would like to continue working with Arteta but would not stand in his way should Arsenal come calling.

“If he stays I will be the happiest guy in the world and if he decides to move because he has this offer, this option, I will not say you do not have to go,” the City boss said.

Outgoing Manchester United assistant Rui Faria (right) is another name in the frame to replace Wenger. (Martin Rickett/PA)

Like Arteta, Faria has no previous managerial experience but Mourinho believes he is ready to make the step up.

Asked earlier this month if he felt Faria would be a good appointment for Arsenal, the United boss said: “I think so, yes. I don’t know (if he wants to be a manager). You ask me if I think it would be a good fit and I say ‘yes’.”

Patrick Vieira captained Arsenal's unbeaten Invincibles under Wenger — Patrick Vieira captained Arsenal’s unbeaten Invincibles under Wenger. (PA)

Whoever comes in has a huge void to fill following Wenger’s lengthy reign, which concluded with a 1-0 victory at the John Smith’s Stadium.

The 68-year-old was afforded a guard of honour and saw all four corners of the stadium rise of 22 minutes to applaud his achievements.

January recruit and club-record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the game’s only goal before admitting he was expecting Wenger to remain in place for much longer.

“I thought he would be at Arsenal for years,” the Gabon striker said after the game.

“But this is for life. This is football. Sometimes you never know. But I was happy to play for him.”