Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his hope that Everton "get out" of their difficult situation.
The Blues sit 19th in the Premier League table, spared a place at the foot of the table only on goal difference. On Monday, they began their search for a new manager following the sacking of Frank Lampard.
Sean Dyche, Sam Allardyce, Carlos Corberan and Marcelo Bielsa are among the contenders linked to succeed the former Chelsea midfielder. But more pressingly, the Blues are staring down the barrel of relegation for a second successive year.
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Leighton Baines and Paul Tait have taken the training sessions in light of the dismissal and they will have a free weekend as the FA Cup fourth round takes centre stage this weekend.
Arteta's table-topping side will be taking on Manchester City on Friday and ahead of their clash, the former Everton midfielder was asked whether the current situation at his former club made him feel sad.
"It does because it’s a club that I love so much, that I’m very grateful [to], very attached to and I just hope they can get to where they deserve to be and get things moving fast, get everybody on board again and hopefully get out of this situation," he said.
The Gunners could be the first encounter for the incoming manager at Goodison Park as the former Everton captain looks to extend their lead at the top at the expense of the side he made 209 appearances for.
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