Former Arsenal midfielder has backed Manchester City to appoint Gunners boss Mikel Arteta if Pep Guardiola leaves the Etihad next summer.
Guardiola’s contract with the Premier League champions expires in June and, speaking to Prime Casino, Petit claims that Arteta would be the perfect man to succeed his fellow Spaniard in City’s dugout:
“If Guardiola does decide to leave, the best possible replacement would be Mikel Arteta. He knows the club, and he knows the philosophy which he has tried to repeat at Arsenal. Pep Guardiola has begun to show signs of tiredness in the last two years, and you can sometimes see that he is lacking energy.”
Petit claims Guardiola’s exit from City looks more likely now he doesn’t have a competitor like Jurgen Klopp as an opponent:
“Jurgen Klopp leaving Liverpool was a huge blow for Guardiola because he had that competition to push him to be at his very best. He’s not a worse manager now, but I think he does look tired, and mentally, it takes a lot of energy to be a manager at the highest level.”
“Things move so fast and anything can happen in football, Arteta could step into Guardiola’s shoes but City wouldn’t be the only club interested in him.”
Arteta is unlikely to leave Arsenal
It should be pointed out that the Gunners tied down the Spaniard to a new contract only a few weeks ago. He is now committed to remaining at the Emirates until the summer of 2027.
Petit’s assertion about Arteta would have had more credence if the Arsenal manager hadn’t put pen to paper on an extension. Before signing his current deal, he was set to leave the London club in 2024.
What is the latest on Guardiola’s future at City?
The man himself spoke out in July to insist that he hasn’t made a decision on when he will leave his role with the Cityzens.
There has been constant speculation due to the fact that Guardiola has less than 12 months remaining on his contract. Based on what we know of previous extensions, we should find out more at the turn of the year.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
