It has become something of a running theme with Arsenal that one of their players would leave for either Pep Guardiola or Manchester City. This is a rare combination of both.
The Times are this morning reporting that incoming Man City manager Guardiola is to offer Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta, a friend of the ex-Barcelona boss, a place on his new-look coaching setup when he takes office at the Etihad this summer.
Arteta’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season and the report alleges that both he and fitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventuara, another prospective Guardiola appointment, met up with Pep at Bayern’s Säbener Strasse training facility last week as the former Everton and Rangers man looks to assess his options as he considers whether or not to keep playing beyond this year or go straight into coaching.
Mikel Arteta has been approached to become part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Man City next season. [Times] pic.twitter.com/03JlL0av1m
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) February 22, 2016
The 33-year-old ex-Spain Under 21 international is increasingly likely to call it a day at the end of the season as injuries have begun to take their toll – he has made just 15 Premier League appearances in the past 18 months, recording just 45 minutes of domestic league action since the turn of the year.
Arteta had previously been earmarked for a coaching role at his current club, having already worked with Arsenal youth squads and made progress in getting his coaching badges, but the report goes on to state that Arsène Wenger would be unlikely to offer the midfielder a backroom staff role at this current time as the senior side is not particularly in need of new coaches.
In terms of what he could offer Guardiola, having a friend with detailed knowledge of English football would be highly beneficial as the new Man City boss looks to acclimatise to his new surroundings as soon as possible.
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