TAKING THE MIK

GUARDIOLA DEMANDS DECISION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS TO WHETHER ARTETA QUITS CITY TO BOSS GUNNERS

PEP Guardiola wants a decision quickly on whether Mikel Arteta will be Arsenal’s next manager.

The pair have spoken in detail about the situation and the City manager has long held the same attitude regarding Arteta as he has his players – if they no longer want to be at the club, he will not stand in their way.

However, as Arsenal’s interest in the coach has intensified – partly as a result of their dismal performance against the Premier League champions on Sunday – it has become more of a pressing issue for City and dominated Guardiola’s press conference ahead of their Carabao Cup quarter-final with Oxford tonight.

After feigning horror at the focus on his assistant, who is set to travel with the team to Oxford, City’s manager said that he wants – and expects – a decision soon.

“Whether it’s going to happen or not, I don’t know,” he said. “You know my opinion about Mikel.

“He’s a professional human being and a person, I don’t have doubts about that. If he stays I’d be happy, incredible, because we all work together really well – hopefully he can feel the same as me or with us.

“If he decides to move I’ll wish him all the best, for him, his family and for his professional future... and I will beat him – that’s a joke! The best of luck.

“Maybe we’ll replace him, maybe not, maybe we take someone if that happens.

“I’m talking hypothetically – I don’t know what is going to happen, honestly.”