‘He would be the best’: Pep Guardiola says one Arsenal man would be unreal at Man City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has suggested Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as the ‘best’ name to succeed him when he eventually parts ways with the Premier League champions.

Arteta, who was Guardiola’s assistant from 2016-2019, left his plush job at the Etihad to take up the challenge of reviving a wounded Arsenal in December 2019 post-Unai Emery.

The younger Spaniard would have likely already become the City manager had Guardiola left for pastures abroad.

‘I am pretty sure if I would have left before, he would be here and he would be the best, absolutely,’ Guardiola said during his Thursday press conference.

‘But I extended the contract, I am sorry, and he didn’t wait, so it could not happen, but definitely [it could’ve].’

After a few lean years, Guardiola’s prodigy is guiding Arsenal back toward its former glories, with the Gunners perched atop of the Premier League holding a five-point lead over City.

Having already won the FA Cup, Arteta and his squad are looking to capture the club’s first Premier League title since the 2004 Invincibles.

‘He loves the club,’ Guardiola said of Arteta and Arsenal. ‘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. Like me, training here or Barcelona if I’m training as assistant and Barcelona call me, I will go. My club.’

The Premier League’s top two collide in Manchester on Friday, the first of three crucial meetings this season. Though Guardiola sees a distinction in the most imminent match.

‘It is a different competition, the FA Cup, it is a final,’ said Guardiola. ‘And of course, more than Arsenal to prove ourselves how is our level, when the team make 50 points [at the halfway stage] it is because they have been the best, and they are.

‘We have to prove how far away or how close we are and the best way to notice is to perform our best level. Otherwise, against a team at that level, it will be difficult.’