Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed Mikel Arteta could have succeeded him as the Sky Blues gaffer had he stuck around for longer. Arteta was named as the assistant coach for Manchester City in 2016.

However, Arteta took the top job at Arsenal in 2019 whereas Guardiola went on to extend his contract with Manchester City. Guardiola revealed that Arteta didn’t want to wait for the Manchester City manager job.

“I am pretty sure if I would have left before, he would be here and he would be the best, absolutely,” Guardiola said.

“But I extended the contract, I am sorry, and he didn’t wait, so it could not happen, but definitely [he could have been City manager].”

Meanwhile, Arteta has got the best out of the players at Arsenal and the Gunners are looking all set to go all the way in the Premier League. Arsenal is currently at the top of the standings with 16 wins in 19 matches and a total of 50 points under their belt.

Arteta played for Arsenal from 2011 to 2016 and Guardiola revealed he loves the club.

“He loves the club,” Guardiola said. “I remember when we were together here when we score goals, he jumps a lot and celebrates except one team. One team every time we score a goal, I jump, look back, and he was sitting there. It was Arsenal.

“It was that moment I said that guy likes Arsenal. Like me, training here or in Barcelona if I’m training as an assistant and Barcelona call me, I will go. My club.”

Meanwhile, Guardiola and Arteta will be up against one another in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday.

“It is a different competition, the FA Cup, it is a final,” said Guardiola. “And of course, more than Arsenal to prove ourselves how is our level, when the team make 50 points [at the halfway stage] it is because they have been the best, and they are.

“We have to prove how far away or how close we are and the best way to notice is to perform our best level. Otherwise, against a team at that level, it will be difficult.”