With Mikel Arteta about to hang up his playing boots and move into coaching, it seems like he will join Manchester City, despite having an offer from Arsenal (and Tottenham) according to Marca in Spain.

It is no secret that Pep Guardiola wants to take the Arsenal captain to the Etihad for next season and the midfielder, who was emotional as he said farewell last weekend, is reportedly ready to move his family to Manchester.

So if he loves Arsenal as much as he claimed on the final day of the season, why is he not taking their offer?

Well it seems as if it might have something to do with the fact that the offer to remain at Arsenal came rather late in the day whereas the one from City has been on the table for a while.

It also offers a ‘new project’ that will receive ‘strong investment’ according to the report from Spain. City are expected to bring in at least six new faces this summer as they overhaul their ageing and under-performing squad.

Despite Wenger offering, albeit belatedly, a chance to Arteta to remain at Arsenal, Wenger himself doesn’t often seem that bothered about having former players around him.

Although he recently said that the door was always open for players who wanted to take their coaching badges, that is quite different to hiring players when they have completed their licences to come and work alongside you with the teams at the club.

I’m not sure why Arsenal aren’t doing more to keep Arteta and are happy enough to let him leave for City but it’s likely to be a move that could bite them in the arse at some point in the not-to-distant future.