Why Mikel Arteta would be a good replacement for Emery at Arsenal
According to The Sun, Manchester City have confirmed that they would not stand in the way of their assistant manager Mikel Arteta if North London outfit Arsenal approach him for the manager’s role.
Arteta, who plays second fiddle to City boss Pep Guardiola, has been tipped for the main job at Arsenal since current boss Unai Emery is under the scanner for his side’s poor displays this season.
Winless in their last 4 Premier League outings, the Spaniard’s future looks very uncertain and it remains to be seen as to how the situation will play out.
Things went from bad to worse after Arsenal’s 2-0 away loss to Leicester last weekend.
Arsenal are now 6th in the table with 17 points – eight less than a Champions League spot.
Amidst all this chaos, the Arsenal board has assured that even though the results have been disappointing, they will stick by Emery as he is ‘the right man for the job,’ as reported by Daily Mail.
Meanwhile, Arteta, who currently works at City, could be next in line (h/t The Sun) for the big job at Emirates if performances do not improve under Emery.
The Spaniard had been on Arsenal’s radar for quite some time now and the former Gunners midfielder is one among the many shortlisted candidates for the top post if Emery makes an exit, according to The Sun.
The modern-day Arsenal hero, who made 150 appearances for the club, was a key member of the squad under then manager Arsene Wenger, winning the FA Cup in 2014 and 2015.
The 37-year old moved to City in 2016 after his retirement to pursue his managerial ambitions.
His first year as a coach did not reap any rewards as City finished third, below Chelsea and Tottenham.
He bagged a double the next year alongside Guardiola, winning the English league title and the Carabao Cup. The 2018-19 season was the most coveted one of his managerial career as City lifted the domestic treble – Premier League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup.
Earlier, the Spaniard was contacted for the top job at St. James Park but he turned down the offer, according to The Sun.
Presently working under Pep Guardiola, Arteta is going through a rough patch in his career as City have slumped to 4th place in the table and are 9 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Verdict
His successful stint as an assistant under Guardiola holds him in high stead for any managerial offer that comes knocking on his door.
Except for the coveted Champions League trophy, they have won everything they could in a few years’ time.
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Thus, if the move goes through, it would be an emotional yet ideal reunion for Arsenal and their former captain.