Former Arsenal club captain Mikel Arteta has left Arsenal to join Manchester City in a coaching role under new boss Pep Guardiola. Manchester City have also Officially confirmed the appointment of former Gunners captain as a member of new manager Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff.
The Spaniard won two FA Cups, making 150 appearances scoring 17 goals in his 5-year stint at Arsenal. On 15 May 2016, Arsenal confirmed Arteta would leave the club when his contract expired.
His emotional farewell came after a 4-0 win over Aston Villa, following which he received a standing ovation. Arteta’s shot in the game caused an own goal, conceded by Villa keeper Mark bunn.
The former Everton and Rangers midfielder, who started his career at Barcelona, has been a rumoured target of Guardiola since the Spaniard’s appointment as City boss in February.
The 34-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and did not make a single Premier League start for Arsene Wenger’s men last term, coming off the bench on nine occasions. In a statement, Arteta said:
“Following recent media speculation surrounding my future I can confirm that I will be leaving Arsenal and retiring from playing to take up a coaching position at Manchester City.
“I’ve enjoyed an amazing five years at Arsenal and it’s been an honour and a privilege to captain such a great club. I would like to personally thank the manager, board, all of my team-mates and of course the fans for the fantastic support I’ve received during my time there.”
“I will always remember my time at the Emirates and have gained memories during my time at the club that will stay with me forever – none more so than winning the FA Cups and Community Shields in consecutive seasons – the club’s first trophies in a decade.”
Arteta explained the chance to work with new City boss Guardiola was too good to turn down. He added:
“I am now looking forward to the challenge ahead at Manchester City,” he continued. “The opportunity to join Pep Guardiola and his team was an amazing opportunity for me and I am incredibly excited for the future. ”
“I have been lucky enough to play under some amazing coaches and managers during my playing career and I hope to use elements of everything I’ve learnt from them as well as experience from my own playing career to help City achieve success. “Thank you again to everyone and let’s keep enjoying this amazing sport that is football.”
Here is the Official tweet from Arteta:
Hi all, here a statement from me on the next chapter in my football career… pic.twitter.com/2Xb9VifCog
— Mikel Arteta (@m8arteta) July 3, 2016
Guardiola knows Arteta from their days in the Barcelona academy. Given Guardiola’s famed and trusted backroom team is bereft of Premier League experience, Arteta will be a valuable addition.
He joins Manuel Estiarte, Domenec Torrent, Lorenzo Buenaventura and Carles Planchart, all of whom worked alongside Guardiola at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Mikel Arteta is one to keep an eye on. Widely regarded as an intelligent man, he will benefit from the years under Wenger and now Guardiola.
It’s his time to experience another approach and maybe one day come back and again be a part of the Arsenal Family. HIS HAIR DOESN’T MOVE, HIS HAIR DOESN’T MOVE. MIKEL ARTETA, HIS HAIR DOESN’T MOVE! Good luck at City Arteta.
