Jose Mourinho's right hand man, Rui Faria has emerged as one of the contenders to take up the mantle of nurturing Arsenal's Nigerian youngsters, Alex Iwobi, Chuba Akpom and Kelechi Nwakali, as per reports from The Sun.

Faria, 42, has worked with Mourinho since 2001 and is believed to posses inestimable knowledge of management at the highest level and has been lined up by the Gunners hierarchy.

It is understood that the Portuguese would very much fancy a shot with a club side where he is the main man and would want to meet Arsenal supremos, Ivan Gazidis and Stan Kroenke to discuss the prospect of brokering the deal.

Ex-Barcelona manager, Luis Enrique was earlier installed as the favourite for the job but the powers that be at the Emirates stadium are having second thoughts about handing him the reigns due to his exorbitant salary demands, transfer kitty wish list and other factors.

Alex Iwobi has been a prominent figure under Arsene Wenger since his debut and would be rejoined by the duo of loanees, Chuba Akpom and Kelechi Nwakali at the end of the season.

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