Man City assistant coach Mikel Arteta is one of the favourites to return back to his former club and replace Unai Emery as the next manager at Arsenal.
But will Pep Guardiola let him leave the Eithad?
Mikel Arteta spent five years with Arsenal and featured in more than a 100 games for the North London outfit. And after Emery was sacked by the Gunners management last week, the name of Arteta as the next manager has been doing the rounds.
While many pundits think the 37-year-old will not be the right choice to replace Emery but others believe Arsenal should go the United way and bring on an ex-player who has some coaching experience.
But there have also been doubts about Pep Guardiola not letting Mikel Arteta leave – especially during the middle of the season. And when the Man City was asked this very same question before the Newcastle United game, here’s what he had to say.
The Man City boss told reporters: “I said many times with my players, staff, they’re free to do what they want to do.
“With Mikel, it’s about being a friend, I want the best for him.
“What I want is that we stay together this season and next season but I don’t know what’s best for him. But on Saturday he travels to Newcastle.”
“I often speak with Mikel but I don’t know his future plans. We want to protect him and hopefully, he can stay with us.”
Mikel Arteta left Arsenal in 2016 and immediately went on to join Manchester City and ever since then he’s been a part of the Eithad coaching staff.
And one major reason why the 37-year-old might reject taking charge of Arsenal right now is because Pep Guardiola sees him as his heir to the Man City throne which based on the current scenario is a much more lucrative job.
“I’m pretty sure (he could succeed me), yes. But he decided to stay – thanks – but everyone decides what they’ll do in the future. Sooner or later it’s going to happen,” Guardiola had said back in September.
“He’s a young young manager but he has experience already to handle big players and teams.”
