Antonio Conte is highly unlikely to replace Mikel Arteta if Arsenal decide to change their manager this season, according to Calciomercato.com.

The Italian website claims that the Gunners got in contact with the former Chelsea boss during the last international break but the response they got wasn’t particularly promising.

Conte is currently enjoying his time away from management, having also been given a generous severance package when he left Inter Milan at the end of the last season.

When he was sounded out by Arsenal, Calciomercato claim the Italian gave “cold and doubtful” answers to the London club’s enquiries, intimating he was only interested in joining teams looking to win trophies straight away.

It means that Conte has effectively ruled himself out of contention for the Gunners’ job if Arteta does leave the Emirates at some point this campaign. The pressure has eased on the Spaniard somewhat after last weekend’s win against Norwich but there is a long way to go to get the season back on track.