Manchester City are furious with Arsenal’s conduct in their pursuit of Mikel Arteta and claim the Gunners are still to make an official approach for the Spaniard.
Arteta has held three round of talks with the Gunners in the last week and he’s been clear with Pep Guardiola about Arsenal’s interest.
However, Arsenal are yet to speak directly to City about Arteta’s availability and it’s common courtesy to make an official approach given he’s contracted at the Etihad.
In any case, the Gunners would have to pay a compensation fee to hire Arteta and it’s simply impossible not to open dialogue if they wish to appoint the 37-year-old.
City will not hold Arsenal’s conduct against Arteta and will allow the Spaniard to move to the Emirates once a compensation package is agreed.
Nevertheless, the Daily Mail claim City feel Arsenal have acted in a ‘shambolic’ fashion and their attitude has been ‘disrespectful’.
‘It’s surprising to hear that plans are being made by Arsenal to unveil our coach as their head coach on Friday on the basis that no contact has been made by the club to discuss this matter,’ a source told the Daily Mail.
It is believed that Arteta has already agreed a £5m-a-year deal to move to Arsenal in a contract that’s expected to run until 2023.
Arsenal feel the deal is as good as done – barring an agreement on a reported £2m compensation package – and had hoped to have Arteta in place before Saturday’s clash against Everton.
Arteta was on City’s bench for the side’s 3-1 win against Oxford United in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup.
City will face Manchester United in the semi-finals, though it’s unlikely that Arteta will still be at the club.
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