Reports in England claim Mikel Arteta was expected to meet Arsenal chief Josh Kroenke on Monday night for his third and final interview as he closes in on the manager’s job at the Emirates.

Arteta, 37, hosted managing director Vinai Venkatesham and chief negotiator Huss Fahmy at his Manchester home on Sunday night in the second stage of interviews and is now in line to meet Kroenke.

His current employers, Manchester City, will be due compensation as Arsenal take Pep Guardiola’s No 2 from the Etihad.

But City are understood to be bemused at a lack of contact over Arteta, with no talks over his future taking place between the clubs at the Premier League champions’ 3-0 win on Sunday.

Kroenke Jr, son of Arsenal owner Stan, will now have the final call on whether Arteta is up to the job to take over as manager.

Should Arteta pass his final interview, the path will be clear for him to take charge at the club he left as a player in 2016.

Sportsmail claimed earlier on Monday that Arteta was ready to leave City immediately to return to London for his first managerial role.

The former Gunners midfielder, it is understood, has indicated privately that he is open to taking the vacant Arsenal job and has told club chiefs he is prepared to take it now.

Sportsmail understands Arsenal have now contacted their City counterparts to discuss Arteta’s release – a clear indication that the Gunners are preparing to offer Arteta the job.

The Arsenal hierarchy want to bring the uncertainty surrounding their vacant permanent manager’s position to an end following a disappointing spell overseen by interim boss Freddie Ljungberg, prompting their move to accelerate discussions with Arteta, who is currently Pep Guardiola’s No 2 at Manchester City.

Sportsmail understands Arteta expressed his desire to become Arsenal’s new boss during initial talks following the sacking of Unai Emery earlier this month.

Arsenal have been determined to complete a thorough recruitment process, with at least 10 names on their original list of candidates – Mauricio Pochettino, Brendan Rodgers and Nuno Espirito Santo among the club’s preferred candidates.

Sportsmail understands that Gunners chiefs were planning on holding talks with at least two prospective candidates this week.

But sources claim Sunday night’s meeting was more meaningful than simply being part of the club’s lengthy search, with their interest in Arteta clearly at an advanced stage. Concerns managerless Everton may also step-up their interest in Arteta, who spent six seasons as a player at Goodison Park, is also believed to have been a factor for Arsenal.

The City boss will not stand in his colleague’s way should he decide to leave for the Gunners.

And Kevin De Bruyne admits the players have been bracing themselves for Arteta’s eventual move into management.

‘He came here three years ago, and had to find his way a little bit, because to transition from player to coach is a little bit different,’ said the Belgian.

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