Mikel Arteta has now been Arsenal’s manager for over three fairly successful seasons. With a win percentage of above 50% and an FA Cup in the trophy cabinet, he’s certainly made a name for himself in his first managerial position. And the question is whether the Gunners will be able to keep him at the club.
Last season, Arsenal raised a few eyebrows with their title challenge to Manchester City. Although they missed out on the title, significant signings this summer will make Arsenal a popular choice among punters looking to have a bet on the Premier League.
Make no mistake, Arsenal fans are expecting another strong season. Looking further ahead, though, those same fans may start to get a little twitchy. At the end of this season, Arteta will be into the final 12 months of his contract, having signed an extension last season until 2025.
Interestingly, Pep Guardiola’s current contract at the Etihad will run out at the same time. The Spaniard’s time at City has been an incredibly successful one, and there may well be more trophies to come. But having not only secured the elusive Champions League in last season’s treble-winning campaign, you have to wonder whether Pep will be looking for a new challenge away from Manchester.
If that is the case, Mikel Arteta would surely be a name on the list of potential successors. Arteta began his coaching career as part of Guardiola’s backroom staff before being appointed manager of Arsenal, and there are clear parallels which can be drawn between his style of play and that of Guardiola.
By the end of the 2023-24 season, the current Arsenal boss will have years of experience managing in the Premier League as well as Champions League experience under his belt. And if this season and next go the way Arsenal fans are hoping, he’ll have all the credentials City will be looking for in their next manager.
The chance to be part of a club that are likely to offer him the chance to fulfil his management dreams for the long term may prove to be something the Arsenal board simply can’t compete with. The Guardiola era is one in which Manchester City have established themselves as the most dominant team in Europe. And having ended their Champions League hoodoo, they look set to sweep all before them while Pep remains in charge.
With the investment they have made in their academy, along with a huge transfer war chest to ensure they keep adding quality to their squad, there won’t be any managers who are likely to turn down an approach.
While many fans thought the club kept Arsene Wenger in place for too long, it appears the stars may be aligning to lead to the complete opposite with Mikel Arteta. Of course, he’ll need to make sure he continues to deliver in his current role and, no doubt, Arsenal will be keen to tie him down to a longer deal. But don’t be surprised if Manchester City replace one former Spain international with another.
