Pep Guardiola has revealed Mikel Arteta never used to celebrate Manchester City goals against Arsenal and that he knew there was a chance he would eventually manage the Gunners.
Arteta has steered Arsenal to the top of the Premier League this season but returns to the Etihad for an FA Cup fourth round tie on Friday night, the first of three meetings between the two clubs in as many months.
Guardiola is full of praise for his former assistant coach, who spent three years working under the Catalan at City between 2016 and 2019 before taking the job at the Emirates.
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That was something Guardiola always felt was a possibility and he soon realised that Arteta still had a soft spot for Arsenal when they worked together.
"I said many times to my players and staff. I had many assistant coaches and I said I don't want anyone who doesn't agree with me. We felt if one team could offer him to be manager he would leave," he said.
"It could happen one or two years before, it didn't happen. I am not a guy to say no you have to stay with me. Everyone has dreams.
"I know he went to his club, the team he dreams of. He's a supporter, for the fact he played there, he was a captain there. He loves the club.
"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 Barcelona if I'm training as assistant and Barcelona call me, I will go. My club. I'm not a person to say stay here and sign a contract. People have to fly when he believes is the best.
"To players I said many times if they are not happy they have to leave, life is too short. Especially players. Spend time in a place you believe suits you better, if it's a bad place or you don't like it, leave."
Guardiola also said he realised within 15 minutes that Arteta was the man to come in as an assistant coach when he offered insight into how David Moyes sets his teams up when the Blues played Sunderland.
"We were in touch before, I have [City fitness coach] Lorenzo Buenaventura, maybe my closest friend because we start together the first month in Barcelona, and he knows Mikel really well," he said
"We had conversations and he said I would like to work together and I can help you because I know the Premier League perfectly. I know all the managers.
"I remember the first game we play against Sunderland. We play against David Moyes. It was at that he said I know him well, he was at Everton, he does this and that.
"After 15 minutes, half an hour, I said, 'Yeah, this is the guy to help me to anticipate'. You have to know sooner or later, but to have someone to anticipate the knowledge of what does it mean to go to Stoke away, or to every stadium. A guy who has been many years here. Part of that, we start to work together.
"I don't know my part on him but his influence on me was great, massive, so important to become a better manager."
Arteta was often linked with replacing Guardiola at City, but when the current incumbent continued to sign contract extensions he took the decision to branch out on his own, but Guardiola knows he would have been an ideal candidate to step up to the plate had he decided to leave.
"I am pretty sure if I would have left before, he would be here and he would be the best, absolutely. But I extended the contract, I am sorry, and he didn’t wait, so it could not happen," said Guardiola.
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