Mikel Arteta has reportedly turned down the chance to stay in north London, opting to join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City instead.

According to an exclusive in the Mirror, the midfielder turned down interest from Spurs (obviously) and then an offer from Arsenal to coach in our academy in favour of learning alongside fellow Spaniard, Pep.

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Arsenal’s Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta (R) celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal with Arsenal’s French striker Olivier Giroud during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 15, 2016. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)

The 34-year-old was heavily linked with a move to City before his time at Arsenal was even up and he confirmed that the interest was there from several clubs. Recently, it was reported that he would become Pep’s assistant coach – a bold move for such a big club and, if this is the case, I can understand why it would be so hard to turn down.

If all Arsenal offered Arteta was a role in our academy, compared with Pep Guardiola asking him to be his right-hand man, I don’t blame him for going at all. I don’t think anyone can.