Man City boss Pep Guardiola has made Mikel Arteta feelings clear amid shock Arsenal exit claims

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is being linked with a potential departure from the Emirates after Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola previously talked up his chances of replacing him at the Etihad.

Recent reports in Spain have claimed that Arteta could replace Xavi at Barcelona after the legendary midfielder announced he will leave the Nou Camp. However, the Gunners' boss is under contract at Arsenal until 2025 and talks have been underway over a new deal.

But one potential destination, should Arteta depart the North London club in the future, could be City if Guardiola calls time on his spell as manager. The pair worked together at City for over three years before Arteta left his role as assistant manager to succeed Unai Emery at Arsenal in December 2019.

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"I'm pretty sure [he'll succeed me]. He will have success," Guardiola said about Arteta in September 2019. "Sooner or later it's going to happen [Arteta becoming a manager]. He's a young, young manager. He has experience already, handling big players and big teams.

"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."

Guardiola said Arteta similarly saw the game to him, while also lauding the former Everton midfielder's character. "He's so happy when we win but suffers when we don't and that is why he tries to find a solution," he added.

"He's an incredible human being, with incredible values about what it means in the locker room to be together, and he is already an incredible manager and he'll have