Pep Guardiola have revealed why Mikel Arteta quit his role as assistant manager at Manchester City to take up the Arsenal job at Emirates.
Mikel Arteta worked with the Manchester City boss as assistant manager before he quit his role as assistant manager to take up the vacant Arsenal job.
Speaking in the lead up to the crunch FA Cup tie between Manchester City and Arsenal, Guardiola revealed the deep love and passion Mikel Arteta had for Arsenal.
When he was called upon to take the Arsenal job, Mikel Arteta did not hesitate. He immediately left his role at Manchester City to take up a bigger assignment and build on his managerial career.
The two Spaniards worked closely together at Etihad celebrating victories and Premier League triumph, but Pep Guardiola revealed Mikel Arteta never celebrated goals against Arsenal.
Having played for the club as player and captain, Mikel Arteta is said to have held an endearing love for his former club.
Pep Guardiola appeared to justify the departure, comparing Mikel Arteta’s love for Arsenal to his love for Barcelona – a team he played for and also captained just like Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
The former Bayern Munich manager said if Barcelona were to give him a call demanding for his services as manager, he would happily return if he was serving as an assistant manager at any club just as Mikel Arteta.
“When Arteta was my assistant at City, he celebrated all the goals madly except the ones against Arsenal. He loved Arsenal. It’s like my relationship with Barça. If I were an assistant coach and Barca called me, I will go, it’s my club”, Guardiola said.
Guardiola signed a contract renewal with Manchester City and the new deal will see him extend his stay at Etihad until 2025.
Contrary to reports, Guardiola was not eyeing a Barcelona return. That is a near-impossibility after signing a new deal and winning the confidence of the club’s hierarchy.
Besides Xavi Hernandez is right on the rebuild to bring the glorious days back to Camp Nou.
Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta relationship
Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta worked together at Manchester as manager and assistant manager respectively. During that time they lifted the Premier League trophy twice, and dominated English football with the star-studded side.
When coming up against Arsenal, Mikel Arteta was reportedly reluctant to celebrate wins over the Gunners. He supported the team as a former player and captain.
After leaving Guardiola and City to become Arsenal boss, Arteta has guided the club to the top of the Premier League table.
This season, he is yet to clash with his former boss in the Premier League but will go head to head in the FA Cup.
The Arsenal manager said it was a bit strange to be contending for the Premier League title with his former boss Pep Guardiola, and his star-studded side. His thoughts is not to undermine his miraculous strides with the Gunners.
After a disappointing 2021/22 season, Mikel Areta has done an incredible job at the Emirates, transforming Arsenal from a Europa League team to a formidable Premier League title hopefuls.
Arteta won two FA Cups as a player with Arsenal, before lifting the trophy as a manager in 2020.
The Gunners are currently five points clear of City, with a game in hand.
