This archive report was first published on 20 December 2019.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his understanding of Mikel Arteta's decision to leave the club and take up the head coach position at Arsenal. The move was announced on Friday, December 20, 2019, after a compensation package was agreed upon between the two clubs.
Guardiola, who worked alongside Arteta as his assistant at Manchester City, acknowledged that it was difficult to stop his compatriot from pursuing his first managerial post at a club where he also spent five years as a player.
"He decided to move there. When you have dreams you cannot stop it. You have to follow your dreams," Guardiola told reporters on Friday.
Guardiola also wished Arteta all the best in his new role, stating, "Arsenal was important in his career, one of the best teams in Europe, I wish him all the best. I'm sure he'll do an excellent job."
"Yeah they did really well last season when he took over, this season too, so consistent, excellent team," Guardiola said of Leicester City, who are currently second in the Premier League table. Guardiola's focus will now shift to Saturday's Premier League game against Leicester City, where Manchester City will look to bounce back from their recent defeat to Manchester United.
