A fresh insight into Antonio Conte’s links to Premier League outfit Arsenal has been forthcoming on Sunday evening.
Arteta’s replacement?
The name of Italian tactician Conte has taken centre stage online across the day thus far.
This comes with the 52-year-old, of course formerly of Chelsea, having been tipped to secure a return to the English capital, on this occasion with Arsenal.
The Gunners have endured a less than ideal start to the new campaign, failing to secure even a solitary point across their opening three league fixtures.
In turn, on the back of an equally underwhelming season last time out, pressure has inevitably begun to mount on the shoulders of Mikel Arteta.
Step forth, Antonio Conte.
Reports doing the rounds in the European media earlier today pointed towards the free agent head coach as the leading candidate to replace Arteta at the Emirates, with Spanish outlet Todofichajes having gone as far as to suggest that an agreement was in place, with Conte ready to take up the reins in North London, as long as his arrival was confirmed no later than October.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 18: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League group C match between Chelsea FC and AS Roma at Stamford Bridge on October 18, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Pastorello responds
Such claims inevitably sent tongues wagging across the Arsenal fanbase, with many of a Gunners persuasion having already made clear their hopes that Conte will soon be unveiled as the club’s new boss.
On Sunday evening, however, such wishes have been dealt a considerable blow.
This comes amid confirmation on the part of agent Federico Pastorello that reports of any form of agreement between those in a position of power at the Emirates and Conte are simply ‘not true’:
There’s absolutely NO pre agreement between Antonio Conte and Arsenal. Conte has no verbal/pre agreement with any club and he’s free. 🚫🇮🇹 #AFC
Federico Pastorello – agent close to Conte since years – confirms to @Freddie_Paxton: “Rumours about Arsenal pre-deal are not true”. pic.twitter.com/sHMN9X6pzj
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 5, 2021
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