Manchester City have reportedly put plans in place to stop Arsenal from appointing Patrick Vieira or Mikel Arteta to their dugout.
The Gunners are seeking a replacement for Arsene Wenger, who will step down from the first-team hotseat at the end of the season after 22 years in the role.
Vieira and Arteta played for Arsenal and have been mentioned in the Emirates boardroom as candidates to take the reins when Wenger leaves in the summer.
However, both coaches are currently employed by the City Football Group - the former in charge of New York City FC and the latter a coach at Man City.
According to The Mirror, CFG have high ambitions for both of their employees and will rebuff any attempts by the Gunners to hire them.
The report goes on to claim that the pair are deemed crucial to the long-term plan at Man City, who are looking to create a long and successful dynasty under the ownership of Sheikh Mansour.
RB Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick and former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique have also been linked with the Arsenal job.
Giuseppe Labellarte
