Arsenal look secure for the future, as popular manager Mikel Arteta recently signed a new contract to keep him in North London.
Arteta was coveted by Barcelona last season, whilst there have been links with Manchester City, but he has put pen to paper on a new deal at the Emirates Stadium.
Shortly after signing his new deal, Arteta became the first manager since George Graham to win three away North London derbies in a row as Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0, and this put his side in a strong position as they prepare to face Man City in their next Premier League game.
The upcoming trip to the Etihad Stadium is a crucial one in the title race, with Man City currently two points ahead of Arsenal, but The Gunners have not won there since 2015.
Arsenal are hoping to win the title in their third attempt, after coming second in each of the last two seasons, but even if they do not triumph this time, they can now be assured that Arteta will have further opportunities to do so.
David Ornstein reveals Mikel Arteta Man City stance following new Arsenal deal
Speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, journalist David Ornstein claimed that should Pep Guardiola depart Man City at the end of his contract in 2025, there is nothing to suggest that Arteta will return to the Etihad to replace him.
“Mikel Arteta will be high in their thoughts because they’ve had him there before, they know the quality of his work, there will still be a lot of relationships between City and Arteta, but there’s too many unknowns in all of this,” Ornstein stated of potential Guardiola replacements at Man City.
“They [Man City] also like Michel at Girona for example, he’s one who’s been heavily linked. There will be all manner of coaches coming to the fore – look how highly Pep Guardiola’s talked about Roberto De Zerbi in the past, look how highly he talked about Thomas Frank last weekend.
“Mikel Arteta has moved from Manchester to London with his family, he seems very settled there, and it appears that he’s there for the long term future.
“Of course, going back to Manchester wouldn’t be the hardest thing in the world, but I just don’t have any credible suggestions, other than I’m sure he’s on their list like all top coaches are – but then he’s on Barcelona’s list.
“He came through the Barcelona Academy and his family have links obviously to Spain, having come from San Sebastian, so I think the Man City links are understandable, but I don’t think at the moment they have any credence, and certainly not to my knowledge.”
Mikel Arteta is set for long-term future at Arsenal
Arteta signing his new contract at Arsenal was a statement that he is set to stay for the long term to see his project out.
This means that even if Guardiola is to leave Man City, Arteta will be in no hurry to return to succeed him, and will not be leaving Arsenal until his project leads to silverware in North London.
Arteta was furious when linked with Barcelona earlier this year, and it is clear that no matter who is interested in him, the former midfielder has no intention of leaving Arsenal any time soon.
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