This archive report was first published on 18 December 2019.
On Tuesday, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola confirmed that assistant coach Mikel Arteta would travel with the squad for the League Cup quarter-final against Oxford, despite being in talks over the vacant manager's role at Arsenal.
Guardiola revealed in his pre-match press conference that Arteta had taken part in a training session with the cup holders and was due to head to Oxford on Wednesday.
"He's an incredible person... work ethic... and that's why he's with us," said Guardiola, praising Arteta's qualities.
Speculation linking Arteta with the Arsenal vacancy intensified after pictures emerged of Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham outside Arteta's house in the early hours of Monday.
Manchester City are reportedly unhappy that Arsenal did not ask for permission to speak to Arteta, especially given that the two teams played each other on Sunday.
Arteta, 37, played over 100 times for Arsenal before joining City's coaching staff in 2016.
