Arsenal will begin their first coaching search in nearly a quarter of a center with an open mind.

"It's important to me that we continue the football values that Arsene has instilled in the club. So I want to see somebody who can continue that for our fans," CEO Ivan Gazidis said at a news conference. "And our fans want to see somebody who will continue to play progressive, exciting football, that gets people interested and excited in the games that we play.

"But I also think there is a significant piece with Arsenal Football Club of how the candidate represents the club. ... To replace Arsene, that's not going to happen. But what we have to do is to make sure we don't lose his qualities and his values within the club, but that we take them forward. I'm absolutely committed to doing that."

Max Allegri, Leonardo Jardim and Joachim Low have been viewed as the most probable candidates for the job.

"I think we've got to be open-minded and also brave in the decision. When Arsene was appointed, I don't think he was on many people's radar screens," Gazidis said. "Now that doesn't mean we have to make another appointment that not everybody is thinking about and talking about. But it does mean we need to be bold in the appointment and get the person that we believe is the right person."