“Hey, Mikel: Congrats on beating us. Mind if I stop by later for a long job interview?”
Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham left Mikel Arteta’s home very early Monday morning as the Gunners and their former captain consider a reunion. It was reported as a 2.5 hour meeting.
Reports say Man City is asking Arteta to clarify his desires, and that the Spaniard is considered one of Arsenal’s top candidates.
Arteta has been Pep Guardiola’s No. 2 at Man City since 2016, having previously made 284 Premier League appearances between Everton and Arsenal.
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But his former club is in distress (well, both of them are), And Arsenal would love to take one of the most intriguing assistant managers in the game back to North London.
Man City pounded Arsenal 3-0 on Sunday, interim manager Freddie Ljungberg imploring the Gunners to figure out their future. Guardiola complimented Arteta when asked about his status after the match.
Arteta does not have any first team first chair experience, but has now spent three-and-a-half seasons at the side of the one of the most inventive leaders in football history.
Arsenal could do much worse. Could Arteta do any better?