Belgian FA chief says Arsenal ‘knocked on door’ for Roberto Martínez

Arsenal endured a difficult campaign and a series of poor results between October and November.

After going winless in seven games, the Gunners sacked Unai Emery on November 29th and appointed Freddie Ljungberg as interim boss.

Things didn’t improve under, and less than a month later the north London club appointed their former player Mikel Arteta as their new permanent manager.

Prior to appointing the Spaniard, there were reports of other candidates including Belgium coach Roberto Martínez. The latter has the experience of managing in the UK as he had spells at Swansea City, Wigan Athletic and Everton.

With his contract with the Belgian national team set to expire later in the summer, the Emirates club wanted to appoint Martínez as their new permanent manager. This has been confirmed Royal Belgian Football Association president Mehdi Bayat.

Speaking to Het Laatste Nieuws, Bayat said: “Arsenal has knocked on the door [for Martínez].”

HLN adds Arsenal contacted Martínez’s entourage before appointing Arteta, but Martínez didn’t consider the option of managing the Premier League side.