Arsenal are in for a significant boost should Pep Guardiola decide to call time on his Manchester City career amid rumours that the Spaniard’s time at the Etihad Stadium could be coming to an end…..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
It sounds like a dream for Arsenal supporters but the continual noise surrounding Pep Guardiola appears to indicate that the Spaniard’s time at Manchester City may be coming to an end. The latest development comes from David Ornstein who said during an Athletic Q&A that there is a ‘feeling’ in the industry that he will leave at the end of next season – though he stressed there was currently no evidence to back this up.
This aligns with the expiry of Guardiola’s contract at City with little to no suggestion of talks over a renewal. Who might replace the five-time Premier League-winning manager is also as much of a mystery although there are several names that have been suggested.
With that in mind, football.london takes a look at three things we think will definitely happen should Guardiola take the decision to step down from the job. From potential managerial links to the future title chances of the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta linked
Whilst the potential exit of Guardiola might be something to delight Arsenal fans, the inevitable links with their own manager Mikel Arteta as a candidate to replace him will be anything but. Arteta worked for several years under Guardiola as an assistant, honing his craft and turning him into the coach which enticed Arsenal into appointing him.
While Guardiola has stopped short of ever talking about Arteta as a potential replacement for himself, he has never shied away from talking up his former colleague. “He has experience already, handling big players and big teams,” he said before Arteta even took the role in north London.
“He’s got an incredible work ethic. He has a special talent to analyse what happens and to find solutions. We talk a lot about what he believes and how he feels.”
Arteta, meanwhile, has always shown stringent allegiance to Arsenal, the club that signed him as a player and took a huge gamble on him as head coach. Expectations remain a new contract is on the way which would take Arteta beyond the 2025 date that Guardiola’s deal ends.
Title odds increase
Manchester City have stood as Arsenal’s main opposition over the last two seasons in their hunt to end a two-decade-long wait for the Premier League title. They exploited an end-of-season crumble last year and need just one more win on the final day this weekend to pip them once again.
However, with Guardiola leaving and Liverpool having already parted ways with Jurgen Klopp by this point, Arsenal stand out as the club primed to inherit the major role as title favourites. Man City will certainly be a massive challenge whoever replaces Guardiola but another year into the Arteta project and perhaps with a title won in 2025 the Gunners will be looked upon very favourably in the years to come.
Champions League reunion
Pep Guardiola has made it relatively clear that managing another English club is not something he foresees. He has hinted he could return to City, but the likelihood is another club on the continent will be next for the 53-year-old.
“In England, being here, I think I will always be at Man City,” he said in 2021. “If I had to come back I would come back to Man City if they want me. I don’t think I am going to train another club in England. I’m a part of this club.”
Could that mean a return to Barcelona? Or would he try his luck in Italy or France having already won titles in England, Germany and Spain? Wherever he ends up, he is sure to move to a club with Champions League status and therefore the opportunity for Arsenal the face off against Guardiola again will come in Europe’s elite competition.
Arteta will be hoping when that time comes, Arsenal are one of the key powerhouses of more than just the Premier League but world football. With the trajectory they’re on, few would bet against it.
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