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Manchester City are keeping close tabs on Mikel Arteta at Arsenal as a potential replacement for current boss Pep Guardiola, according to reports.
Arteta started his coaching career under Guardiola at the Etihad but, after Unai Emery was sacked, then returned to Arsenal to become their head coach.
There, he has won the FA Cup and Community Shield and, despite a series of below-par performances, is impressing this season in their UEFA Champions League push.
As a result, City are admiring his work from a distance, The Athletic say.
When on the backroom staff at City, Arteta is thought to have been viewed as a long-term candidate to succeed Guardiola, and the interest from the club remains.
Reports have suggested that the 39-year-old decided against sitting down with Arsenal to agree to a new deal, with his focus firmly on achieving success this year.
However, he is settled in London and open to staying at the Emirates.
Intriguingly, Guardiola’s terms at City are set to run down at the same time as Arteta’s, although the Premier League champions are desperate to keep their boss.
It is said that wily tactician Guardiola will weigh up his situation next season, though, and he has aspirations to go on to manage an international team.
He has won the top-flight three times, but he is yet to win the UEFA Champions League.
As for Arteta, The Athletic have pointed out that some members of the Arsenal hierarchy have given him ‘unconditional’ support during his tenure.
But others are keen to see more ‘tangible’ rewards from the backing, which saw the club splash out £150million in an array of eye-catching signings last summer.
Earlier this season, Guardiola praised former protege Arteta ahead of their rise into the top four spots.
He told BT Sport: ‘I work two or three years together, I learned many things from him.
‘He is above and beyond a good manager.
‘The correct personality, leading, he is incredibly loved by all of us. We were sad when he left.
‘I am a big fan of him and I’m pretty sure, if they trust him, he will do a good job at Arsenal.’
Vincent Paul
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