This archive report was first published on 18 December 2019.
December 18, 2019 - Mikel Arteta is on the verge of becoming Arsenal's new manager, but Pep Guardiola has cautioned that the task ahead will be enormous.
Guardiola, who has worked with Arteta as his assistant at Manchester City, believes that restoring Arsenal to their former glory will be a significant challenge.
Speaking ahead of Arteta's expected switch to north London, Guardiola said: 'I think Arsenal [are] always one of the best teams of the last 20 years. When Arsene took over the team, he raised the club to another level and now they are struggling a little bit the last years.'
Guardiola also expressed his desire to see Arteta succeed, saying: 'If Mikel stays I'd be happy because we all work together really well. If he decides to move, I'll wish him all the best for his professional future.'
Arteta is expected to join Guardiola in the dugout on Wednesday night, December 18, during City's Carabao Cup quarter-final at Oxford.
Arsenal currently sit 10th on the league standings with a paltry 22 points, an astonishing seven off the top four.
