Antonio Conte would “reject any offer” from Arsenal unless he is given the tools to challenge for the title, according to the Daily Telegraph‘s Matt Law.
The journalist, who is usually very reliable, claims that the former Chelsea manager is likely to be the Gunners’ “first choice” to replace Mikel Arteta if they do choose to sack the Spaniard:
Arteta must turn around Arsenal’s results and performances by the October international break or he will face a fight to save his job #afc https://t.co/rCmjaxjENo
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) August 23, 2021
Conte has, though, already turned down an approach from Tottenham this summer after being left unsatisfied by the guarantees he was given that he would be handed the resources to compete for trophies.
After leaving Inter Milan in May, Conte gave an interview in which he registered an interest in managing abroad once again. His previous spell with Chelsea was successful, having won the Premier League title and the FA Cup in his two seasons at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal are, however, unlikely to make a move for Conte in the immediate future. The board are expected to give Arteta more time to turn things around. Injuries and illness have played a part in the club’s poor form early in the season, and they are also keen on seeing how Arteta’s new signings bed in. The run of four games against Norwich, Burnley, Spurs and Brighton after the next international break will determine his future.
