Pep Guardiola reveals the moment he knew he had to let Mikel Arteta leave Man City
Arteta was Guardiola’s assistant at the Etihad Stadium before taking over as Gunners boss
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Pep Guardiola said he had to let Mikel Arteta leave Manchester City to manage Arsenal because he could not stand in the way of his friend and former assistant’s dreams.
The former allies meet in the FA Cup on Friday with Arteta five points ahead of Guardiola in the Premier League and with the older man calling the London club the best team in the country.
And Guardiola said that he knew Arsenal had a place in Arteta’s heart when he did not celebrate the goals City scored against the club he supported.
He explained: “Everyone has dreams and I know he went to his club, the team he dreams of. He is a supporter of Arsenal, from the fact he played there and loves the club. When we score a lot of goals here, always he jump up and celebrate, except against one team, then I jump and he was just sitting there.
“It was Arsenal and I say: ‘That guy likes Arsenal.’ I am not the person to stay you have to stay here, you have a contract. You have to fly. Life is too short.”
Guardiola believes Arteta would have succeeded him as City manager by now if he had not chosen to remain at the Etihad Stadium.
He added: “I am pretty sure if I would leave before he would be here and he would be the best. But I extend the contract, I am sorry.”
Guardiola insisted he did not regret selling Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal last summer, deals which could help the Gunners replace his side as champions.
“Oleks and Gabriel have been amazing with us,” he said. “I have incredible respect as persons first and players. Of course we want to beat them first but I am more than delighted for them. It is going well for them: congratulations.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments