Decision will be Arteta’s, says Guardiola

Mikel Arteta will be part of Manchester City’s coaching team for tonight’s Carabao Cup clash with Oxford despite being in talks with Arsenal, Pep Guardiola revealed.

Arteta, who has been an assistant coach at City since Guardiola joined the club in 2016, has emerged as the strong favourite for the vacant managerial post at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta is continuing to fulfil his duties at City, though, including travelling with the side for the Carabao Cup quarterfinal at the Kassam Stadium.

Guardiola said: “We were so smart to pick him up and now the other clubs want him. I’ve said many times, he’s an incredible person, a good manager, work ethic, that is why he is with us.

“He’s talking with Arsenal so I don’t know what is going to happen.”

Arsenal’s pursuit of their former midfielder became public when Gunners chief executive Vinai Venkatesham was pictured leaving the Spaniard’s home in the early hours of Monday morning.

Guardiola said Arteta had told him about the meeting, and that he would not be trying to influence the 37-yearold’s decision.

The City boss said: “It happens. Last season we had (physio) Lee Nobes and he went to Liverpool. And now it has happened with Mikel, teams want him.

“He knows exactly what we want but at the end it’s his decision. It’s personal. Nobody is here if they don’t want to be here. If he wants to be here it is because we decided we want to work together three years ago. What happens now, I don’t know.

“The organisation of the club is always live, it doesn’t always stay the same, what works today might not work tomorrow. The people today maybe won’t be here tomorrow.”

It is the second time in as many seasons that City will have faced League One Oxford in the Carabao Cup having beaten them 3-0 last term on their way to defending their title.

Guardiola said: “One game away, anything can happen. We’ll try to go there and win and get to the semi- final.”

Mikel Arteta: in talks with Arsenal.