---
title: "Arsenal decision to appoint Arteta left Ancelotti ‘disappointed’"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/arsenal-decision-to-appoint-arteta-left-ancelotti-disappointed/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Elliott Cuff"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2019-12-19T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2019-12-19T07:00:00Z"
---

# Arsenal decision to appoint Arteta left Ancelotti ‘disappointed’

Carlo Ancelotti had preferred a move to Arsenal over Everton this month, according to reports. They also claim that the Italian was left disappointed by the Gunners decision to appoint Mikel Arteta instead.

The former Chelsea boss appears set to sign on as Everton’s next manager this week, succeeding Marco Silva after he was sacked earlier this month.

Arsenal meanwhile will hand Manchester City assistant manager Mikel Arteta the reins at the Emirates, with the Spaniard succeeding his compatriot Unai Emery in what will be his debut first-team managerial job.

Many had assumed that with Ancelotti out of work after being sacked by Napoli earlier this month, that he would be the Gunners’ first choice target to take up the managerial hot-seat in London.

![Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readeverton.com/readeverton/2019/12/1193144737-3.jpg)

However, Arsenal have instead turned to their former player, who has been cutting his teeth as a coach alongside Pep Guardiola at the Etihad for some time now.

Arsenal weren’t always set on Arteta though, if reports are to be believed. Italian journalist Fabio Santini claims that Arsenal had reached an agreement for Ancelotti to take over, only to change their minds late on and switch course.

Talking to 7 Gold’s Il Processo show, [as reported by Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/journalist-reveals-happened-ancelotti-arsenal-manager-left-disappointed-gunners/), Santini claims that Ancelotti was taken aback and left disappointed as he had wanted to join the club. Santini said:

> Carlo Ancelotti will go to Everton in the Premier League unless there are some sensational surprises.
>
> The agreement is now complete between the now ex-coach and the English club: within a few days, it could be official news. Carlo Ancelotti was also disappointed because his first choice was Arsenal.
>
> Arsenal, after having contacted Carlo Ancelotti and found a principle of agreement, then pulled back, preferring Arteta.
>
> After the exemption from Naples, Ancelotti suffered another setback, the Gunners’ decision knocked him off his feet. Carletto will go to Everton anyway.
>
> He will soon meet Aurelio De Laurentiis. The president has to free him before letting him go to Everton. There should be no problems also because De Laurentiis has every intention of saving some money on Carletto’s engagement.

### Read Everton Verdict

This doesn’t surprise me at all if true, and honestly it doesn’t bother me either. If I was in Carlo Ancelotti’s position, Arsenal are the much better prospect. They have resources, talent, European football and are capable of competing for trophies immediately.

Everton meanwhile are a long-term project. The Toffees won’t compete for the Premier League title, or a continental title, and Ancelotti is used to competing at the top level, not simply competing to qualify for the top level.

If Everton land Ancelotti and the Blues were his back-up option, so be it. It is still a huge appointment for the club, and he could do many great things at Goodison Park. Being his back-up doesn’t make any difference.