Ending the worst kept secret in football this week, Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Mikel Arteta has left Manchester City for Arsenal.

Speaking at his press conference ahead of their game this weekend, Guardiola said,

“We stay with the same people who are here,” Guardiola said. “He decided to move there and when you have a dream you cannot stop it, you have to follow your dreams.

“Arsenal was important to him. He finished his career there, they’re one of the biggest clubs in the country, and I wish him all the best. I’m pretty sure he’ll do an excellent job.”

Arteta is believed to have agreed a three-and-a-half year deal with Arsenal worth around £5m-a-year, a sum similar to that the club were paying Unai Emery.

Arsenal will have to pay City around £2m in compensation, not the £1m originally reported and it is said that the final details of that are still to be concluded.

“Yesterday he didn’t do training. Today he didn’t do training. I don’t know the last details of the contract, but he is there,” Guardiola added.

“He’s in London, he’s close to finishing a deal with Arsenal. It’s almost done.

“He decided to move there. You cannot stop it, follow your dreams and Arsenal was a big part of his career.

“We wish him all the best I’m pretty sure he will do a great job.”