Cesc Fabregas to succeed Mikel Arteta is 'written in the stars' as ex-Arsenal star eyes Premier League return after Como adventure

The former Arsenal midfielder has been cutting his managerial teeth in Italy with minnows Como for the last two years but has grand plans to return to the Emirates and the Gunners are big fans of the Spaniard. Fabregas guided Como to tenth last season but sees his future back in north London, where he began his career in the academy before enjoying an eight-year spell in the senior team, winning the FA Cup in 2005.

While Arsenal are big admirers of Fabregas they are sticking with Arteta, having invested heavily again this summer after he led the Gunners to three second-place finishes in row. Fabregas is enjoying life at Como and has turned down offers from Bayer Leverkusen, Inter Milan and Roma, according to The Sun.

Como players have not made a secret of their admiration for Fabregas, with some claiming he's the best boss they have ever worked with. He was vital to their promotion to Serie A in 2024 as while Osian Roberts was listed as the head coach, Fabregas was the main man but hadn't yet obtained his UEFA licence.

Arsenal face a stern test away at Liverpool on Sunday, where they haven't won a league game since September 2012. But the Gunners' recent form against the champions is good. They haven't lost to the Reds in the last six Premier League matches, drawing four and winning two.