Mikel Arteta will take his place on the Manchester City bench alongside Pep Guardiola this evening ahead of his widely anticipated move to Arsenal.
Nearly a month on from the sacking of Unai Emery, the Gunners are understood to have settled on their former captain as the man to replace his compatriot on a permanent basis.
Freddie Ljungberg has been holding the fort for the last five matches but he has been unable to trigger an upturn in results, winning just one of his five matches at the helm.
Arteta, who came close to being appointed as Arsene Wenger’s successor in the summer of 2018, is expected to sign a three-and-half year deal and could be unveiled as early as tomorrow.
City, for their part, according the MEN, are said to be furious with Arsenal’s conduct and will demand £1million in compensation as they prepare to lose the 37-year-old who has been credited with playing a pivotal role in their recent domestic dominance.
Last season’s treble winners can take a step closer to retaining the Carabao Cup this evening should they win at Oxford, ahead of which Guardiola praised his soon-to-be ex-assistant.
He said: ‘I’ve said many times, he’s an incredible person, a good manager, work ethic, that’s why he’s with us.’
Former City star Micah Richards, meanwhile, believes City are right to feel aggrieved by the way in which Arsenal have unsettled Arteta after photos emerged of the club’s executives leaving the Spaniard’s house just hours after Sunay’s match between the two teams at the Emirates.
Richards told Sky Sports: ‘No [I’m not surprised Arteta is here. I think obviously Pep has a lot of trust in Arteta.
‘It’s not an ideal situation but I don’t think they are happy with the way it’s been handled. We know his quality. As soon as there’s anything tactical it goes to Arteta.
‘But City are not happy with the way the thing has happened.’
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More to follow…
