Mikel Arteta said his goodbyes to Manchester City players and staff on Thursday morning, and Arsenal will announce him as their head coach on Friday, according to David Ornstein.

Writing for The Athletic, David Ornstein confirmed Mikel Arteta gave an ’emotional speech’ to Manchester City players and staff at their training ground on Thursday morning. He then left to join Arsenal as their new head coach.

The Gunners only have the formalities left to complete before they announce Arteta on Friday.

Talks began the week before Arsenal’s match against Manchester City. Arteta spoke to Raul Sanllehi, before meeting Vinai Venkatesham and Huss Fahmy on the day of the game. Discussions took place late at night or early in the morning to avoid clashes with Arteta’s commitments at City.

Ornstein also confirms the reports of City annoyance at the lack of direct contact from Arsenal. On the day of the game between the two clubs, the Arsenal and City hierarchy were all in the same place, but they didn’t even mention a possible move for Arteta.

Goal and others report Freddie Ljungberg is set to remain in charge for the Everton game this weekend. Despite Arsenal’s Arteta announcement taking place on Friday, Ljungberg will take to the dugout the next day.

This makes sense, given the Swede spent the week preparing for the game. Arteta is only going to get Friday to meet the team, and he has press duties and contracts and all the rest to deal with as well.

ESPN claim the 37-year-old will get a three-and-a-half-year contract. Ljungberg should join his permanent coaching staff, along with City coach Rodolfo Borrell.