Mikel Arteta has said his goodbye’s to the Manchester City players during Thursday morning’s training session in the form of an emotional speech.
David Ornstein of the Athletic has reported the Spaniard will be presented as the Head Coach of Arsenal today, meaning Pep Guardiola will need to begin looking for a new right-hand man.
Arteta has been the assistant manager at the Etihad since July 2016 but is said to feel ready to take the next step and become a number one himself. The lure of a club as big as the Gunners whom he also represented as a player is an opportunity the 37-year-old simply cannot overlook.
Will Mikel Arteta succeed at Arsenal?
Yes
No
These Man City supporters have taken to social media to react to the news.
all the best mikel ?
— charlie (@bernardoSzn) December 19, 2019
All the best, thank you for everything you have done for City! ??
— .?. (@Kylebaldwalker) December 19, 2019
All the best mate ,thank u for everything
— Brian Muchenagumbo (@Beemuchena) December 19, 2019
All the best Mikel
— Nixon Ke (@Nixonsquady) December 19, 2019
Best of luck Arteta. May our paths cross again
— Khoo Kay Peng (@kpkhoo) December 19, 2019
— zoy_786 (@zoy2786) December 19, 2019
What do we think?
Mikel Arteta will have no doubt learnt a great deal from Pep Guardiola but whether the current environment at Arsenal is one in which he can succeed remains to be seen. Turning the club around is a tall order but the North London giants are willing to put their faith in their former captain.
The Coach is highly regarded by all at the Etihad and his departure will come as a huge blow to his mentor Pep Guardiola. Arsenal will need to pay compensation to Manchester City in order to get the deal over the line and we’re led to believe that is the final hurdle which the two parties must overcome before the move is officially announced.