DECISION MADE ✅: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta linked with a potential move from the Emirates after Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola earlier talked about his prospects of REPLACING him at the Etihad.

According to recent reports in Spain, Arteta could take over for Xavi at Barcelona after the iconic midfielder announced his departure. However, the Gunners’ manager remains under contract at Arsenal until 2025, and negotiations for a new contract have begun.

However, if Arteta leaves the North London club in the future, City might be a possible destination if Guardiola ends his managerial tenure. The pair worked together at City for more than three years before Arteta departed his position as assistant manager to succeed Unai Emery at Arsenal in December 2019.

“I’m rather certain [he’ll succeed me]. “He will be successful,” Guardiola remarked regarding Arteta in September 2019. “Arteta will eventually become a manager.

“He’s got an incredible work ethic. He has a special talent to analyse what happens and to find solutions. We talk a lot about what he believes and how he feels.”

Guardiola stated Arteta saw the game similarly to him, and he praised the former Everton midfielder’s character. “He’s so happy when we win but suffers when we don’t and that is why he tries to find a solution,” he said.

“He’s a wonderful human being with incredible ideals about what it means to be united in the locker room, and he’s already an incredible manager who will have enormous success in the future. We saw the football up close.”

Guardiola’s current City contract expires at the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, but the Catalan has previously hinted that he could stay at the Etihad.