Man City won’t stand in way of Arteta joining Arsenal ― Reports

Guardiola-Arteta
Manchester City will not stand in Mikel Arteta’s way if he
wants to become the new manager of Arsenal, several
British media outlets reported Monday.
Reports added that while Premier League champions City
were unhappy at a lack of a formal approach for Arteta,
currently an assistant to manager Pep Guardiola, they will
stop the Spanish midfielder joining Arsenal.
Arteta played for north London side Arsenal and he has
also been linked with the managerial vacancy at Premier
League rivals Everton, another of his former clubs.
But speculation that Arteta could be returning to north
London as the successor to sacked Gunners boss Unai
Emery intensified when pictures emerged of managing
director Vinai Venkatesham outside his house in the early
hours of Monday morning.
City won 3-0 at Arsenal on Sunday but reports said no
approach for Arteta was made when club officials met
during the game.
It is understood two meetings have taken place and City
are unhappy that the London club did not ask for
permission to speak to Arteta.
Defeat left Arsenal as close to the relegation zone as they
are the top four and meant interim manager Freddie
Ljungberg has won just one of his four league games since
the former Gunners midfielder was brought in following
Emery’s sacking last month.
Arsenal are on a run of just one win from 12 games and
Nicolas Pepe, their club-record signing, said the players had
to take the blame for a woeful run of results.
“Us players have to do better quickly,” he said. “We have
won only one game out of the last 12. It is not enough, we
are Arsenal.
“It is about us, not the coach or anything else. We have to
wake up quickly, starting against Everton.”