Iconic former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has now suggested that Mikel Arteta would leave Arsenal for the chance to join one of their Premier League rivals.
Rio Ferdinand has now made the huge claim that Mikel Arteta would be willing to swap the Arsenal dugout for the Manchester United job.
There is little love lost between Arsenal and Manchester United. Around the turn of the Millennium, whilst Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson were in charge of Arsenal and Manchester United, respectively, the rivalry between the two clubs was at its peak.
As these two giants of English football vied with one another for the Premier League crown year-on-year, throughout this period, they shared a number of titanic clashes on the pitch which were as heated as they are iconic.
This was a battle that helped to establish the Premier League as the most entertaining division in world football.
In recent years, neither the Gunners nor the Red Devils have been the force that they once were. However, under the guidance of Arteta, the north London outfit are now genuine contenders for the top prizes in the game once again.
The Spanish coach has constructed a young, talented squad at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are now in the heat of a Premier League title race, for the second consecutive season under his stewardship. His Arsenal side also play good football, and have scored 25 goals in their last six Premier League games. Arteta’s Arsenal can also boast an extraordinary defensive record at this time.
Rio Ferdinand has say on Mikel Arteta choice between Arsenal and Manchester United
When Arteta took over at the Emirates Stadium in December 2019, when the club were in a mess, it marked his first foray into management. The manner in which he has transformed the club since, with the hurdles he has had to overcome, is extraordinary. Progress has not always been smooth. Sporting director Edu has admitted that at one point a conscious decision not to sack Arteta had to be made. The £158,000-a-week manager has now established himself as one of the most promising young coaches in world football, though.
So much so that Barcelona are thought to be keen on poaching Arteta. He began his career there as a player, emerging through their famed La Masia academy system. He may well feel he has unfinished business with the La Liga giants.
Despite this connection with the Spanish club, Arteta has forcefully denied the rumours linking him with an Arsenal exit.
However, Ferdinand still believes that Arteta would trade in Arsenal for Manchester United, if given the chance. With his former club currently struggling in 6th place in the Premier League table, and 14 points behind the Gunners, he said on FIVE, “Man United say ‘right, off the top of our list is Arteta.’ Arteta is going in and saying to the [Arsenal] lads, ‘listen guys, it’s been emotional, but I’ve got to move. I’ve got to go.’”
Many Arsenal fans will either find these comments laughable or irritating. In any case, it is hard to imagine any reason why Arteta would trade in his place at Arsenal for the current chaos at Old Trafford.
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