Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was full of praise for his Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta ahead of their showdown in the FA Cup fourth round. And why won’t he, since it was Guardiola who groomed Arteta into the manager he is today, who is in contention to dethrone City as the defending league champions by steering Arsenal to the title this season.
Arsenal are comfortably sat atop of the Premier League, having enjoyed their best ever start to the season by accumulating 50 points from 19 games. While Arteta might be playing down the title talks, Guardiola has shown full faith in his apprentice that it would take a lot to stop his young Gunners who have been ruthless. Meanwhile, the Spaniard has also shared an anecdote from his time with Arteta, where he knew the former Gunners captain is going to manage them.
Pep Guardiola reveals how Arteta ‘did not’ celebrate goals against Arsenal whilst his assistant at City
Mikel Arteta did his crash course in management at City, with his job being the one most would dream for: Pep Guardiola’s assistant. The two together led City to two Premier League titles, as Arteta’s role in fulfilling his job was highly appreciated. Some even had tipped him to be the next City boss, as Guardiola was unsure at that time whether he will extending his stay at the club or not, which he eventually did until the end of 2024/25 season.
However, Guardiola has now revealed that Arteta wasn’t going to wait for the ‘big job’, and rather had his heart set over the Arsenal role, which he landed in the December of 2019, after the sacking for Unai Emery. And a what a job the former Gunners’ captain has accomplished at the Emirates. But the first sight of Arteta being eager to get the job was spotted by Pep Guardiola, who revealed it as he told the reporters in his pre-Arsenal presser:
“I said many times to my players and staff. I had many assistant coaches and I said I don’t want anyone who doesn’t agree with me. We felt if one team could offer him to be manager he would leave. I am pretty sure if I would have left before, he would be here and he would be the best, absolutely. But I extended the contract, I am sorry, and he didn’t wait, so it could not happen, but definitely [he could have been City manager].
“Everyone has dreams. I know he went to his club, the team he dreams of. He’s a supporter, for the fact he played there, he was a captain there. He loves the club. I remember when we were together here when we score goals, he jumps a lot and celebrates except one team. One team every time we score a goal, I jump, look back, and he was sitting there. It was Arsenal. It was that moment I said that guy likes Arsenal.”
Guardiola further likened Arteta’s love for Arsenal to that of his for Barcelona. The Catalan spent almost two decades at the Camp Nou outfit after joining their youth ranks. He then returned as their manager in 2008, and led them through four trophy-laden years. He continued:
“Like me, training here or Barcelona if I’m training as assistant and Barcelona call me, I will go. My club. I’m not a person to say stay here and sign a contract. People have to fly when he believes is the best. To players I said many times if they are not happy, they have to leave, life is too short. Especially players. Spend time in a place you believe suits you better, if it’s a bad place or you don’t like it, leave.”