Manchester Cityboss Pep Guardiola claims he won ‘ t stand in Mikel Arteta’s way if he decides to join Arsenal. The Gunners sacked Unai Emery after a run of poor results and reports suggest that City assistant manager Arteta is on the north Londoners’ radar.
The Spaniard spent five years at the Emirates as a player and is one of many names on the team’s shortlist for the hotseat along with Massimiliano Allegri, as well as Wolves and Leicester’s Nuno Espirito Santo and Brendan Rodgers respectively.
Guardiola doesn’t want to lose his assistant any time soon but insists he won’t prevent him from leaving if he comes to an agreement withArsenal.
The City manager said: “I said many times with my players, staff, they’re free to do what they want to do.
I said many times with my players, staff, they’re free to do what they want to do
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
“Same with players, that’s not the cas e with Mikel, it’s about being a friend. I want the best for him.
“I don’t know if they’ll call him, but hopefully he can stay with us. If Arsenal want him, they will call the club.
“It’s an honor – it’s incredible that other clubs, they want our staff, an honor, privilege and good for the club.
“We want to protect him and hopefully he can stay with us.”
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola wants assistant manager Mikel Arteta to stay(Image: GETTY)
Arsen al assistant manager Freddie Ljungberg has been appointed as interim head coach after Emery’s dismissal.
The Gunners have slumped to eighth place in the Premier League table and Thursday’s 2-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt marked their seventh consecutive match across all competitions without a win.
An Arsenal statement read: “We announce today that the decision has been taken to part company with our head coach Unai Emery and his coaching team.
“The decision has been taken due to results and performances not being at the level required.
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Manchester City assistant manager Mikel Arteta has history with Arsenal(Image: GETTY)
“We have asked Freddie Ljungberg to take responsibility for the first team as interim head coach. We have full confidence in Freddie to take us forward.
“The search for a new head coach is underway and we will make a further announcement when that process is complete . ”
Arsenal director Josh Kroenke thanked Emery for the effort he displayed during his 18 – month spell at the helm.
Kroenke also wished the former Paris-Saint Germain manager and his coaching team the best in their future endeavors.
He said: “Our most sincere thanks go to Unai and his colleagues who were unrelenting in their efforts to get the club back to competing at the level we all expect and demand.
“We wish Unai and his team nothing but future success. ”
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