Pep Guardiola will not stand in Mikel Arteta’s way if Arsenal come calling – but he wants him to stay

PEP GUARDIOLA claims he would NOT stand in Mikel Arteta’s way — if Arsenal come calling.

But the Manchester City boss wants to keep his fellow Spaniard and No 2.

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The pair have forged a close friendship at the Etihad and Pep says he wants what is best for him.

Arteta came close to landing the Gunners job before Unai Emery was appointed in summer 2018 and is in the frame again.

Guardiola said: “I said many times with my players, staff, they’re free to do what they want to do.

“With Mikel, it’s about being a friend, I want the best for him.

“What I want is that we stay together this season and next season but I don’t know what’s best for him.

"But on Saturday he travels to Newcastle.”

Guardiola said he had not spoken with Arteta about the Arsenal job. He said: “I often speak with Mikel but I don’t know his future plans. We want to protect him and hopefully he can stay with us.”

The pair have won back-to-back league titles together at City.

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But they currently find themselves nine points behind leaders Liverpool in their quest for a third successive Premier League crown.

Arteta knows all about Arsenal's DNA - having skippered them between 2014 and 2016.

And the Spaniard lifted silverware with the Gunners, winning the FA Cup in 2014 and 2015.

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