Pep Guardiola details the moment he realised Mikel Arteta’s ‘love’ for Arsenal before he left Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has revealed that it was always obvious to him that Mikel Arteta adored Arsenal and would leave Manchester City to become the club’s manager.
Arteta spent years as Guardiola’s assistant at the Etihad Stadium, transitioning directly into a coaching position after his playing career ended at Arsenal.
When Arsene Wenger stepped down as Arsenal manager in 2018, Arteta was heavily linked with the position. However, the club ultimately chose Unai Emery, though Arteta did take over 18 months later.
Despite some rough patches, most recently at the end of last season when Arsenal crumbled to miss out on Champions League competition, the club is arguably in its strongest state since moving to the Emirates in 2006.
Arsenal leads City by five points in the Premier League, with a game in hand, and the two teams meet in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday night.
Guardiola discussed Arteta’s decision to leave his position at City to become Arsenal’s manager, a move that did not come as a surprise to him.
“We felt if one team could offer him (a job) as manager he would leave,” Guardiola told reporters.
“I am not a guy to say: ‘stay with me’. Everyone has dreams. I know he went to his club, a supporter, he was a captain there. He loves the club.
“I remember here when we score goals he jumps a lot except one team. He was sitting there. It was Arsenal. I said, ‘that guy likes Arsenal’! Like here, if I’m training as assistant and Barcelona call me, I go.
“People have to fly when [they believes it is best. To players if they are not happy they have to leave, life it too short.”
Guardiola was effusive in his praise for his former assistant, believing Wenger made him a better manager during their time together.
Additionally, he insisted that Arteta would have been the “best” replacement for Guardiola at City had he decided not to extend his contract in 2018.
“I am pretty sure if I would have left before, he would be here and he would be the best, absolutely,” Guardiola said.
“But I extended the contract, I am sorry, and he didn’t wait, so it could not happen.”
Pep Guardiola details the moment he realised Mikel Arteta’s ‘love’ for Arsenal before he left Manchester City
