Mikel Arteta has remained coy when asked about his future in coaching, while hinting that Arsenal have made him an offer.
The 34-year-old Spaniard played what is expected to be his last ever game as a professional last week for the Gunners when they closed out their Premier League campaign with a 4-0 win over relegated Aston Villa to leapfrog Tottenham Hotspur into second in the table.
The midfielder became club captain at Arsenal in 2014 but his body could no longer take regular football at the highest level as he made just 16 appearances in the top flight combined over his last two seasons.
After several reports of a coaching role being offered by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Arteta is remaining coy over his future in the sport though he does have ‘different options’ on the table.
“I have different options now. It is very unusual to have opportunities at this level,” Arteta told the Telegraph.
“I have been watching football in the last few months – or probably over a year – not as a player, more as a coach. I don’t want to say the clubs but I have three very different options and I am very proud because it is not common.”
In fact, there may even be an offer from Arsenal whom he says have left the door open for a decision.
“I have been left the door very open and I may have to make a decision,” he added. “I have so much respect for this club, what they think about me and what they have shown in the last few weeks that they want to do with me, that I cannot talk about any other things.
“Monday is going to be a very difficult day because, after all those emotions, you realise that probably you hang up your boots and stop something you have been doing for the last 17 or 18 years in a professional way. I have to digest and consume all those emotions first.”
Arteta made just nine Premier League appearances for the Gunners in his final campaign this season as injuries took their toll on the Spaniard, who played just twice in the top flight from November onwards.
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