Arsenal expected to unveil Arteta on Friday despite no contact with City yet | OneFootball

Manchester City are under the impression that Arsenal will unveil Mikel Arteta on Friday despite not contacting them about signing their assistant manager.

That’s their story, anyway, but I’m not buying it. Arsenal do love a Friday announcement, that much is not in doubt, but as for the bit about them not contacting City? Really?

I’ll accept that, initially, Arsenal went to Arteta and not City, but the Spaniard turned around and went straight to his club and told them about it. Pep Guardiola has even spoken publicly – to the press- about Arteta talking with Arsenal.

If you ask me, this all smells like City trying to make it look like they aren’t just stepping out of Arteta’s way to let him join Arsenal. That’s basically what they are doing, to the surprise of many given we are in the middle of the season and they are 14 points behind Liverpool. Perhaps they know that jig is already up and are thinking ahead to next season, who knows.

Other clubs would not be so accommodating, that’s for sure, so it’s perhaps understandable they want to direct the press narrative in their favour a little.

The Guardian report that Arsenal and Arteta’s lawyers are holding ‘final talks’ and City, who have reportedly demanded £1m from a club they haven’t spoken to, are waiting for discussions to finalise a compensation package.

An unnamed City club source also told The Guardian: “It’s surprising to hear that plans are being made by Arsenal to unveil our coach as their head coach on Friday on the basis that no contact has been made by the club to discuss this matter.”