Mikel Arteta On Failing To Land Arsenal Job: I Am Happy That I Stayed At Man City

By The Editor
on 18th September 2018

Mikel Arteta was reportedly very close to being named Gunners head coach…

Mikel Arteta has spoken about nearly landing the Arsenal job for the first time as he looks to take charge of Manchester City’s opening Champions League clash against Lyon.

Pep Guardiola is currently in the midst of serving a Champions League following his outburst at half-time as he remonstrated with the official as the champions exited the competition at the hands of Liverpool last season.

Arteta, who has been bumped up over the summer to Pep’s main assistant manager, was seemingly inches away from being handed the manager’s job.

Despite not having any previous experience at any level, it was reported that chief executive Pep Guardiola fully believed that Arteta shared the philosophy and had the coaching experience to lead the team.

However, on the 11th hour, Unai Emery was handed the job given his vast experience and winning mentality.

For the former Gunners skipper, however, there are no hard feelings and he’s happy with how things turned out.

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“The decision was made and I am so happy the decision was made,” the Spaniard said.

“I am privileged to be where I am. I feel very fulfilled. If you ask, one day in the future, will I be a coach? The answer is probably yes.

“But I am very happy where I am and there is still a lot of room for this club to grow.”

Arteta will have a chance to prove to Ivan and co on what they’re missing out on at the Etihad, with UEFA rules stipulating that Guardiola cannot have any contact with the bench throughout the game.