CLUBS TAKE THE MIKEL

MANCHESTER CITY boss Pep Guardiola is battling to hold on to key coach Mikel Arteta who has attracted interest from other Premier League clubs.

The 35-year-old Spaniard (left) joined Guardiola’s support staff in July last year and is an integral part of City’s coaching team.

Word has spread about his coaching credentials with former club Arsenal keen to bring their one-time club captain back to the Emirates to assist boss Arsene Wenger with the possibility of being considered as the Frenchman’s eventual successor.

Sunday Mirror Sport can reveal that Everton chairman Bill Kenwright pushed Arteta’s name forward as a replacement for axed Ronald Koeman but went for experience and brought in Sam Allardyce.

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has also made overtures to Arteta to join his coaching staff only for the Spaniard to knock them back.

Guardiola is desperate to keep him as he battles for four titles – the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the League Cup.

Arteta is happy at City but is ambitious and would one day like to be a manager in his own right.