Mikel Arteta joins backroom staff at Manchester City

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 03 July 2016

Mikel Arteta officially calls time on his playing career by announcing that he is to take up a coaching position with Manchester City.

Former Arsenal and Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta has announced that he is to take up a coaching role at Manchester City ahead of the new season.

The 34-year-old brought an end to his playing days at the end of the 2015-16 campaign after admitting that he was no longer good enough to continue representing the Gunners.

Arteta did suggest that there was still an outside chance that he could join another club and prolong his career on the field, but he has now decided to take up a backroom role at the Etihad Stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur were also said to be eager to bring the Spaniard on board, though he has made his decision and will join up with former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola this summer.

"Following recent media speculation surrounding my future I can confirm that I will be leaving Arsenal and retiring from playing to take up a coaching position at Manchester City," Arteta wrote on Twitter.

"I've enjoyed an amazing five years at Arsenal and it's been an honour and a privilege to captain such a great club.

"I am now looking forward to the challenge ahead at Manchester City. The opportunity to join Pep Guardiola and his team was an amazing opportunity for me and I am incredibly excited for the future."

Arteta joined Arsenal in 2011 after more than six years with Premier League rivals Everton.