Opinion: Why Guardiola’s extension till 2025 means Arteta is his successor

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As the Athletic’s David Ornstein, Sam Lee and Pau Bollus reported that Pep Guardiola had agreed to sign a two-year contract extension till 2025, one major talking point was whether Mikel Arteta could succeed him at Manchester City.

The 2025 factor

A worry for Arsenal fans is that Mikel Arteta’s contract expires in 2025 as well.

While some may refer to that as a coincidence, reports going as far back to May (as per journalist Matte Moretto) have suggested that Guardiola was set to extend his deal for an additional two years.

And it was only in April this year, after months of speculation that Arteta penned a contract extension with the North Londoners till 2025 as well, as per the Athletic.

90 Min had recently reported as well that one of the names on the Sky Blues’ managerial wish list to succeed Guardiola is none other the Gunners boss.

While Matt Hughes of the Daily Mail had claimed in January this year that Arsenal themselves are ‘conscious’ that Arteta’s contract expiry could coincide with Guardiola’s exit in 2025.

Despite the 40-year-old guiding his former side to the top, the fact that the club themselves seem to be worried about his future in three years’ time is telling.

Guardiola’s stay till 2025 could push Arteta to abandon his Arsenal project for City glory

As things stand, league leaders Arsenal are undoubtedly in the race to become Premier League champions.

However, the general consensus remains that doubting a Guardiola side in a league campaign, and during the business end of the season is naïve at this point.

And it could well be the case that the former Bayern boss wins 3 titles in his final three seasons, which could throw a spanner in the works for Arsenal and Arteta.

The expectations of the project will become a talking point, as eventually, Arsenal will be expected to win the league title.

As for the manager himself, he may decide to return to a club that has a plethora of superstars and are the biggest, while being the smartest recruits in the country.

Will Mikel Arteta continue to steer the ship at Arsenal in the hope that they will become top dogs one day, or take over from Guardiola and his side of serial winners at Manchester City is the million-dollar question.