Fabregas Branded "Idiot Child" as Speculation Swirls Over Arteta's Future at Arsenal

The vultures are already circling at the Emirates. With Arsenal having squandered a two-goal advantage against bottom-of-the-table Wolves on Wednesday – following the previous week's stalemate with Brentford – the Gunners have effectively handed the Premier League title back to Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's outfit can extend their advantage when Newcastle visit the Etihad on Sunday, while Arsenal face Tottenham the same evening.

Cue the speculation about Arteta's future. Former Gunners midfielder Emmanuel Petit has declared the Spanish boss will depart for Barcelona, and has publicly backed Como's Cesc Fabregas as a potential successor at the club where the Italian outfit's manager spent seven formative years as a player.

Petit was effusive in his praise of Fabregas's work in Serie A. "He has everything he needs at Como," the ex-Arsenal man explained. "Whatever he wants, they bring it to him. That's giving him real power over decision-making." Petit pointed to Fabregas's recent public criticism of Alvaro Morata following the striker's red card as evidence of a manager willing to stamp his authority. "That's the first time he's gone public about a player like that," Petit noted. "It shows personality, shows 'I'm the boss.' For me, it's a sign he's planning to stay put. But top clubs will absolutely be watching him – Chelsea, Arsenal, anyone at the highest level – because he's doing incredible work at Como."

One small problem: Fabregas's stock took a considerable dent on Wednesday.

The 38-year-old found himself at the centre of a touchline fracas with AC Milan's Alexis Saelemaekers during Como's match. With the Belgian attempting to recover the ball after coughing it up near the sideline, Fabregas – positioned outside his technical area – appeared to grab hold of Saelemaekers as the winger tried to get back in the action. Cue the inevitable remonstration, before Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri stormed over to have his say.

According to reports, Allegri's assessment of Fabregas was withering. "You are a child… you are an idiot! A child who became a coach yesterday," the Italian hollered at his opposite number as they waited for their post-match interviews.

Allegri later quipped during his press conference: "Next time someone runs past me, I'll just go into a sliding tackle myself."

Fabregas subsequently offered an apology for his conduct. "I apologise, it was just a little touch and Allegri's response was exaggerated, but I admit I shouldn't have done it," he said. "It was unsporting behaviour. We've got to keep our hands to ourselves, especially as a coach. I would've got angry too, so I can only apologise and hope it never happens again in my career."

Whether Arsenal's hierarchy were watching remains another matter entirely.