Former Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker has claimed that he "would love" to see Mikel Arteta become the club's next manager amid speculation over the future of incumbent boss Unai Emery.

The latter is under considerable pressure after managing just one win from his last six games as Gunners boss.

Arteta, who spent five years at the Emirates between 2011 and 2016, has been tipped as a potential candidate to replace Emery.

Speaking about the prospect of his former teammate managing Arsenal, Mertesacker told FourFourTwo: "I was his vice-captain at Arsenal and he trusted me. I was by his side during team meetings and we had a great bond. I'd love to work with him again, a top guy."

Arteta, currently working as Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City, would be free to leave his current role if the Arsenal job became available.

Reports claim that Arsenal's hierarchy, although not currently disposed towards removing Emery, have given the Spaniard a month to turn things around.