This archive report was first published on 18 December 2019.
On December 18, 2019, Arsenal announced that Mikel Arteta, a former captain of the team, had agreed to become their next manager. The deal was finalized after extensive negotiations between Arteta and the club.
Arteta, 37, will be leaving his position as assistant manager at Manchester City, where he has worked alongside Pep Guardiola. He will be allowed to bring in his choice of assistant, with Spanish coach Rodolfo Borrell reportedly being his top choice.
Guardiola has insisted that he has no intention of leaving Manchester City next summer, but the club has been linked with former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino as a potential successor. Arteta's departure may signal a change in Guardiola's staff at the Etihad, with doubts circulating about his long-term future at the club.
Arteta was made a promise by Manchester City in 2018 that he would be Guardiola's successor when he eventually leaves. However, it seems that Arteta now believes that will not happen and that returning to Arsenal is the best move for him.
