Pep Guardiola 'Wants the Best' for Mikel Arteta Amid Arsenal Rumours
Pep Guardiola has said he won't tell Mikel Arteta to stay, amid rumours the Manchester City coach could return to Arsenal to succeed Arsene Wenger as manager this summer.
Speaking after Premier League champions City beat Southampton, 1-0, away on the season's final day, Guardiola said, per Ed Elliot of the London Evening Standard:
"If he stays I will be the happiest guy in the world and if he decides to move because he has this offer, this option, I will not say you do not have to go. I want the best for my friends and he's a friend of mine."
Guardiola continued: "If he decides to go, I will be so sad but I will understand his decision because it's his career, his life, his family, and I am not the right guy to say you don't have to do that."
Although he finished by making it clear he wants the 36-year-old Arteta to remain in Manchester, Guardiola also talked up the young coach's qualities: "What we have done this season, Mikel his contribution was outstanding, amazing, we work together so good."
Those words ought to reassure any Arsenal supporters concerned about the prospect of somebody with no experience replacing Wenger as the man in charge.
Rumours have been building that Arteta will be the Gunners' first choice, despite spending just two seasons on the staff at City. Goal's Sam Lee thinks Guardiola's words confirm the possibility of Arteta's return to North London:
The Independent's Miguel Delaney also reported Arteta is the "preferable candidate" to replace Wenger, who has stepped down after nearly 22 years at the helm. Meanwhile, David Hytner of the Guardian noted how Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis remains an admirer of Arteta.
While inexperience would be a concern, Arteta knows the club well, having played for Wenger from 2011-16. He has worked with most of the players still at Arsenal, including centre-back Per Mertesacker, who will take over the academy this summer after retiring from playing.
Arteta would have the knowledge necessary to quickly assess how to fix a squad that finished sixth in the league this season. It's the lowest finish under Wenger, who leaves behind a group loaded with quality in attacking areas but bereft of talent in defence and the necessary balance in midfield.
As someone who has worked with progressive managers in Wenger and Guardiola, Arteta would likely maintain Arsenal's adherence to attractive, possession-based football. It's been a club hallmark ever since Wenger took charge in 1996.
Yet questions would remain about Arteta's ability to fix a defence guilty of surrendering 51 league goals this season.
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