Stuart Pearce thinks Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is going to be the one to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in the near future.
The former Manchester City boss thinks Arteta is better suited to that role than someone like Burnley boss, Vincent Kompany, because the Arsenal man is ‘more proven’.
Back in 2019, those in the Emirates boardroom made the bold call to appoint Arteta as their new manager, despite his lack of experience and the fact that he had only been a number two under Guardiola.
Whilst there have been many rocky roads, including a finish outside of Europe, Arteta has well and truly transformed the north London club.
Five points clear of the dominant Manchester City, this would be a case of the student outdoing and outclassing his teacher, if the Premier League title does indeed head Arsenal’s way in May.
But when it was put to Stuart Pearce that someone like Vincent Kompany, when Guardiola departs, could become Man City’s next manager, the former left-back brushed that off and put forward Arteta’s name instead, as he told talkSPORT.
“To be fair, it’s a bit of a gamble (Kompany to replace Guardiola),” said Pearce. “He is a bit of a cult hero there. I think Arteta is more proven, and if I was Manchester City, then I would try to go for somebody like him.
“He knows the club and he would be coming back in.”
NO REASON FOR ARTETA TO LEAVE
Other than Manchester City being able to throw more money at a project, it has to be questioned why Arteta, when Guardiola does leave, should replace his former colleague.
At the end of the day, if Arsenal are, either champions or challenging at the top of the Premier League table, then they are bigger than those in Manchester.
The Gunners are probably the third biggest club in England behind Manchester United and Liverpool, so if they are thriving, then there is every reason why their £158k-a-week manager should stay in north London.
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