PEP GUARDIOLA expects Mikel Arteta to stay at Manchester City for the remainder of the season – despite links to the Arsenal and Everton manager jobs.
The former Gunners midfielder has been learning his trade at the Etihad for the last three-and-a-half years and is highly-regarded in the game.
Pep Guardiola admits Mikel Arteta will be a manager sooner or laterCredit: Getty – Contributor
He came close to landing the top job at the Emirates 18 months ago before Unai Emery was appointed and is now one of the favourites to succeed him.
Guardiola feels Arteta could be a huge asset to City for years to come if he stays but understands he may want to try his luck as a number one.
The City boss said: “I think Emery is the manager of Arsenal. Of course he’ll be a manager sooner or later, he’s young.
“We are going to finish the season and in future I don’t know what will happen. I’d like him to stay with us as much as possible.
“Not just me but Manchester City has an incredible valuable person to work in this club for the future, but personal life is personal life and professional desire.
“But we are more than satisfied to have him here but what happens at the end of the season I don’t know.
“He’s an incredible human being and has a great work ethic. After a few months together, I said this guy will be a manager sooner or later.
“He’s already a manager, he behaves as a manager that’s why we are satisfied to have him here.”
Like Guardiola, Arteta spent much of his career playing as a holding midfielder and the City boss believes that is an advantage.
He said: “He was an incredible player, normally holding midfielders have a vision on the pitch.
“When you are a striker, you think of the goals and keepers save it but the holding midfielder is an incredible lesson during your period as a football player to learn what happens.
“You go to school, you read it, you understand it completely. And he was so clever in that.”
Arteta has been heavily linked to former club Arsenal, but has also emerged as one of the front-runners to replace under-fire Marco Silva at Everton.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
