Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has sparked an intriguing debate, suggesting that Mikel Arteta would be the perfect successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City once the iconic manager’s tenure ends.
Guardiola, who joined City in 2016, has undeniably reshaped English football, leading the club to an astonishing six Premier League titles in just eight seasons. His crowning achievement came two years ago when he guided City to a historic treble, further cementing his legacy. However, with Guardiola’s contract set to expire next summer, speculation about his future has intensified, and Petit believes the ideal candidate to fill his shoes is already well known in the Premier League: Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta.
“If Guardiola decides to leave, the best possible replacement would be Mikel Arteta,” Petit shared with Prime Casino. “Arteta knows City inside out, and he’s adopted Guardiola’s footballing philosophy at Arsenal, making him the perfect fit.”
Petit’s comments touch on a significant point: Guardiola, despite his continued success, has shown signs of fatigue in recent years. “You can see Pep looking tired. Mentally, it takes an incredible amount of energy to maintain that level of management,” Petit observed. “Guardiola had fierce competition with Klopp at Liverpool, which pushed him to his limits. But now, with Klopp’s struggles, you can sense that Guardiola might not have the same spark.”
Given Arteta’s deep connection with City—where he served as Guardiola’s assistant before taking charge of Arsenal in 2019—his return to the Etihad could feel like a natural next step. During his time as Guardiola’s right-hand man, Arteta helped City secure two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and two League Cups. He has since brought that winning mentality to Arsenal, transforming them from a mid-table side into genuine title contenders.
Under Arteta, Arsenal experienced early struggles but showed signs of resurgence by winning the FA Cup and securing fifth-place finishes. Last season, they came agonizingly close to winning the Premier League, leading the table for an incredible 248 days before falling short to City. Their second-place finish, with 89 points, was a tally good enough to have won the title five times in the past decade.
Petit’s suggestion is all the more intriguing given the recent 2-2 draw between Arsenal and City, a thrilling encounter that many believe offers a glimpse of a future Premier League title race. Should Arteta eventually switch allegiances and take up the reins at City, the move would undoubtedly break the hearts of Arsenal fans.
Still, Petit believes Arteta’s time at Arsenal may be limited. “Anything can happen in football, and if City comes calling, they won’t be the only club interested in him,” he added.
With Guardiola’s future uncertain and Arteta’s star continuing to rise, the football world might just witness the ultimate managerial succession in the near future.
