Report: Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez on Arsenal radar

Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez pictured in November 2015
© Getty Images
Arsenal are reportedly interested in appointing Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez as their new head coach once current boss Arsene Wenger leaves the club.

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has reportedly emerged as a contender to take over at Arsenal once Arsene Wenger leaves the club.

The Spanish coach has led the Magpies to the top of the Championship table this season and built up a gap of seven points between themselves and third-placed Huddersfield Town after 30 games.

According to The Mirror, Benitez is one of four names that have been identified by the Arsenal hierarchy as suitable for the job in the event of Wenger's departure at the end of the season.

The report also claims that the 56-year-old, who has one Champions League medal and two UEFA Cup/Europa League gongs, would bring Thierry Henry back to the Emirates Stadium as a coach.

Benitez has managed a number of top European teams during his career including Valencia, Liverpool, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

Arsene Wenger during the FA Cup game between Hull City and Arsenal on March 8, 2016
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1Chelsea25193352183460
2Manchester CityMan City25164551292252
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs25148346182850
4Arsenal25155554282650
5Liverpool25147454302449
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd25139338211748
7Everton25118640271341
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2510783431337
9Stoke CityStoke258893036-632
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham2595113443-932
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12Burnley2593132736-930
13Watford2586112942-1330
14Bournemouth2575133549-1426
15Swansea CitySwansea2573153154-2324
16Middlesbrough25410111927-822
17Leicester CityLeicester2556142443-1921
18Hull City2555152249-2720
19Crystal Palace2554163246-1419
20Sunderland2554162446-2219