Arteta says he was totally supportive of his former mentor having the opportunity to take over Wenger in 2018.
Arteta eventually returned to the Emirates, where he enjoyed the successful spell on the day of performance, but admits that after working with Guardiola for a long time, he was not ready to leave alone.
“I was ready, and as always, at my job I was hooked, engrossed, engrossed, and very passionate.
“I was spending all my time in the world, I was alone.
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“Players want to come to Arsenal now” – Arteta, Gunners’ summer transfer
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“My family still lived somewhere else, so imagine it was me and it was 24/7. Now, how can I help? And when Arsene (Wenger) left, Arsenal was already in and they were looking at all these candidates.
“I said, ‘Listen, look at me, I’ve done nothing. It’s my second year with you here. So what will I do?”
“Pep said, ‘Do you have to go? Because you’re ready.’
“And I said, ‘Really?’ and he said, ‘You have to go.’
Arteta has changed the fate of Arsenal since taking over from Unai Emery at the end of 2019.
Gunner may have had to settle for second place in the last three Premier League campaigns, but he is entering every season as a real contender to win the title.
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“We really want it” – Arteta shares his perspective on Arsenal’s expectations for the season
Video Credit: TNT Sports
Arteta took on the role of Guardiola’s assistant in July 2016, helping the club win the Premier League title in the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 campaigns.
Arteta believes that his former mentor was always very protective of him as he was preparing for a management career.
“He was always very protective of me,” he added. “But he said, you need to fly. You know, I had to make that goal.
“He’s always given me that confidence, that trust… to say, ‘You have to go, go, do it, you have to do it.’ And he knew how I felt about the club. ”
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