Pep Guardiola will not stand in Mikel Arteta’s way if Arsenal come calling

36-year-old Arteta is the new favourite to replace Arsene Wenger at the Emirates having been part of Guardiola’s staff at City for the past two seasons

Pep Guardiola will not stand in the way of his assistant (Getty )

Pep Guardiola has said that he will not stand in Mike Arteta’s way if the Manchester City coach is made the new manager of Arsenal, because he “wants the best for his friends”.

36-year-old Arteta is the new favourite to replace Arsene Wenger at the Emirates having been part of Guardiola’s staff at City for the past two seasons. Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis is a big admirer of Arteta and the possibility of a youthful relaunch that he represents.

Manchester City completed their Premier League season with a 1-0 win over Southampton this afternoon, taking them to 100 points, and Guardiola was asked afterwards about the possibility of losing one of his key staff members this summer. He said that he would not stop it, as much as he wants Arteta to stay.

“What we have done this season, Mikel, his contribution was outstanding, amazing,” Guardiola said. “We were together so good, all the staff, with Mikel. So if he stays I will be happiest guy in the world. If he decides to move because he has this offer, this option, I will not say you don’t have to go [you can’t go].”

Guardiola said this was because he wants the best for Arteta and his future career. “I want the best for my friends, and he’s a friend of mine, and I want the best,” Guardiola said. “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 right guy to say you don’t have to do that. But hopefully, hopefully he can stay and finish what we have started together in the coming years.”

Arteta joined Guardiola’s City coaching staff in 2016 when he retired from playing, having played the final five seasons of his career at Arsenal. While Arsenal are also considering a big-name coach such as Max Allegri to replace Wenger, Arteta’s youth and attacking vision of the game have propelled him into the favourites for one of the biggest jobs in football.