However, Arteta swiftly downplayed the high-profile compliment during his own media briefing prior to Sunday’s heavyweight clash against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.

The Arsenal boss insisted that his squad remains a work in progress and lacks the silverware necessary to justify such a prestigious title. Despite an impressive twelve-game unbeaten streak and a recent 3-1 victory over Inter Milan, Arteta maintains that “perfection” remains a distant goal for his young team. He emphasized that sustained success and multiple major trophies serve as the only true benchmarks for world-class status—achievements the Gunners are still pursuing.

While appreciative of the positive recognition, Arteta remains focused on the immediate challenge posed by a revitalized Manchester United under interim manager Michael Carrick. Arsenal currently leads the domestic title race but faces a demanding schedule across four competitions. The manager’s humble stance underscores a “one game at a time” philosophy as the club seeks its first league title in over two decades.

Mikel Arteta addressed the comments with characteristic modesty: “I don’t know. I think we’re the team that wants to be constantly better, that were doing a lot of things right, but we’re far from perfect. To be related to that [best team in the world], you’ve to win a lot of things [trophies] and we’ve not.”

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While the Norwegian coach originally seemed destined for a sensational return to Old Trafford, extensive face-to-face deliberations over the weekend have reportedly moved the board toward a different conclusion.

The decision-making process reached a critical phase during high-level meetings at the club’s Carrington training base. Carrick, who previously served as a first-team coach and had a brief three-game unbeaten stint as caretaker in 2021, impressed senior officials with his vision for the remainder of the season. INEOS representatives and United’s executive management are prioritizing a leader who understands the existing squad dynamics and can stabilize results immediately. While Solskjaer remains a beloved figure among the supporters, the board currently views Carrick as the more strategically aligned option to guide the team through the current transition period.

“Michael Carrick had positive contact with INEOS and Man United management, advancing to become the new interim manager. Man Utd will announce new coach this week and Carrick is hopeful to get the job. Solskjær, waiting for club’s decision,” Fabrizio Romano shared via his official X handle on Monday.

The incoming manager inherits a squad grappling with a lack of domestic consistency and an early exit from the FA Cup following a 2-1 defeat to Brighton. The club aims to finalize the appointment before the upcoming Manchester derby on Saturday, ensuring the new leader has sufficient time to conduct tactical drills and lift player morale. United officials believe that Carrick’s recent managerial experience in the Championship has refined his tactical approach, making him a more seasoned candidate than during his previous caretaker role.

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