Mikel Arteta: Manchester City unhappy with Arsenal again after surprise timing of announcement

City expected to be told when Arsenal would announce Arteta as manager

(Getty)

Manchester City are not expected to make any formal complaint over Arsenal‘s approach for Mikel Arteta, though remain unhappy with the north London club’s conduct.

Arteta was confirmed as Unai Emery’s successor on Friday after signing a three-and-a-half year contract at the Emirates and bringing his time in Manchester to an end.

The saga began when Arsenal officials were pictured leaving Arteta’s Manchester home in the early hours of Monday morning and City claimed to have received no formal contact regarding their assistant.

City were still waiting for an approach by Arsenal as late as Wednesday night’s EFL Cup quarter-final win over Oxford United, with one club source describing the situation as “shambolic”.

Formal contact was eventually established and Arteta said his goodbyes to City staff on Thursday before travelling down to London.

Pep Guardiola revealed on Friday afternoon that the deal taking Arteta to Arsenal was “almost there” and wished his assistant well.

But shortly after, City were left unimpressed once again when Arsenal officially announced Arteta’s appointment without informing their Premier League rivals first.

City had expected to be told when Arsenal’s announcement was due but received no word from north London, thereby delaying their own confirmation of Arteta’s departure.

The episode is not likely to end in a formal complaint by City and Premier League rules on so-called ‘tapping up’ only relate to approaching players rather than members of staff.

But relations between the two clubs have potentially been strained by the Arteta saga, with the Premier League champions feeling that standard conventions have not been followed.

Arteta will take charge of Arsenal for the first time against his former club Everton for Saturday’s lunch-time kick-off, while his return to the Etihad is currently scheduled for 1 March.