Manchester City

Pep Guardiola: 'Mikel Arteta deserves the best'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 27 April 2018

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says that his assistant Mikel Arteta "deserves the best" when questioned on whether the Spaniard could become the new Arsenal boss.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said that his assistant Mikel Arteta "deserves the best" when questioned on whether the former midfielder could become the new Arsenal boss.

Former Gunners midfielder Arteta is currently Guardiola's assistant manager at the Etihad Stadium, but is reportedly a candidate to replace Arsene Wenger as head coach at Arsenal this summer.

Guardiola is 'unsure' whether Arteta is in the frame, but the Spaniard has lavished praise on the 36-year-old.

"My opinion about Mikel is overwhelming. He deserves the best. We are so comfortable working with him. Part of the reason for our success this season was because Mikel is here," Guardiola told reporters.

"I know there are a lot of names for the next position at Arsenal but I don't know what their plans are. Mikel deserves all that he wants."

Arteta spent five years at Arsenal as a player - making 149 appearances for the London club before retiring from professional football at the end of the 2015-16 campaign.