Arsenal boost as Man City will NOT stand in Mikel Arteta’s way to become new boss if Unai Emery is sacked
MANCHESTER CITY will NOT stand in Mikel Arteta's way if Arsenal coming looking for a new manager.
The Gunners are on a shocking run of form at present with just six wins in their last 19 Premier League matches.
There have been calls for Unai Emery to be sacked by fans and pundits, and the club's hierarchy are looking at his position.
It is understood the North Londoners have their former player on a shortlist of candidates as a future boss.
After defeat at Leicester at the weekend, Arsenal are already eight points off the Champions League spots.
Arteta was devastated last year after being snubbed for the job as Emery came in to replace Arsene Wenger.
An Etihad source said: "Mikel loves working at City and learning from the best manager in the world in Pep.
"Everyone knows he wants to be his own man one day, though.
"Mikel still has a lot of affection for Arsenal from his playing days there.
Next Arsenal manager odds (Ladbrokes)
- 4/1 - Jose Mourinho
- 6/1 Luis Enrique
- 7/1 - Freddie Ljungberg
- 8/1 - Mikel Arteta
- 10/1 - Massimiliano Allegri
- 12/1 - Brendan Rodgers
- 12/1 - Patrick Vieira
- 16/1 - Arsene Wenger
- 20/1 - Nuno Espirito Santo
- 25/1 - Eddie Howe
- 33/1 - Thierry Henry
- 100/1 - Tony Adams
"He knows City would never dream of standing in the way of his ambitions if an attractive offer came from a top club.
"That's not how they work, nor Pep. They want to empower people and see them get on.
"It was the same with Patrick Vieira when he was behind the scenes at City before wanting to manage at New York City FC."
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It is believed Arteta turned down a job to take over at Newcastle last summer, before Steve Bruce took over.
The 37-year-old did not think it would be the right fit for him, and wants to take over at Arsenal.
There is also a suggestion he could one day be Pep Guardiola's replacement at City, with just a few years left on his deal.