Pep Guardiola hailed Mikel Arteta’s contribution to a record-breaking season at Manchester City and gave his blessing for his assistant coach to pursue the manager’s job at Arsenal.
Arteta, 36 years old and a former Arsenal captain, is firmly established among the front-runners to succeed Arsene Wenger who will leave after 22 years in North London.
‘Mikel’s contribution was outstanding, amazing, and we have been so good together,’ said Guardiola after champions City reached 100 Premier League points with a victory at Southampton.
‘So, if he stays I will be happiest guy in the world. If he decides to move because he has this option I will not say: “You don’t have to go”.
‘I want the best for my friends and he is a friend. If he decides to go I will be sad but I will understand his decision.
‘Because it is his career, his life and family and I am not the right guy to say you don’t have to do that.
‘But hopefully he can stay and finish what we have together in the coming years.’
Arsenal intend to announce their new manager before the World Cup, with interviews expected to take place in the next two weeks.
Arteta is joined on the shortlist by Patrick Vieira and Hoffenheim manager Julien Nagelsmann.
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