Arsenal Plan to Sign Former Leeds United Manager Brian McDermott to Boost Their Scouting Setup

Former Leeds United manager Brian McDermott is set to return to Arsenal and join the Gunners' scouting setup, according to the Mirror.

The 53-year-old was released from his managerial duties at Elland Road after Leeds owner Massimo Cellino decided to have a fresh approach at the club. Since leaving the Championship side, McDermott is yet to find a new club.

McDermott is not keen on returning to a managerial role despite strongly being linked to be Dougie Freeman's successor at Bolton Wanderers. He started his playing career at the north London club after joining them as an apprentice in January 1977.

The former Reading manager will return to Arsenal and it will be a new role for him with the Gunners' scouting system, which is headed by chief scout Steve Rowley. The Mirror claims McDermott is set to sign a three-year deal at the Emirates.

Former Portsmouth scout Ian Bloomfield was Arsenal's priority as they were keen on adding him to their scouting system. However, he rejected a chance to join the Gunners and joined their local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

With the position at the Emirates being vacant now, McDermott is tipped to fill in the position. It is believed the former Leeds boss will join the Gunners in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger takes his men to Stamford Bridge as Arsenal take on Chelsea in the Premier League clash on Sunday. The Gunners midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wants his side to make a statement after they suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat at the hands of the Blues away from home last season.

"It was a horrendous day. You would like to say it was one that you forget and don't remember, but I'm sure it's one that I'm going to remember for the rest of my life," Oxlade-Chamberlain told Arsenal's official website.

"It was funny because I was always saying that I'd never played at Stamford Bridge. I'd been waiting a few years to play there. It definitely didn't pan out the way I would have liked it to."

"It's a great stadium and it's another great fixture. It's one that we'll really be looking forward to. Chelsea are the league leaders at the moment and one of the favourites to win the title this season."

"They are big competition to us so we'll be looking to go there and make a statement early on in the season. I definitely believe we can," he stressed.