Arteta Refuses to Comment on Guardiola’s Reported Manchester City Exit After Arsenal Beat Burnley

Mikel Arteta kept his focus firmly on Arsenal’s title pursuit when pressed about reports surrounding Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City, refusing to be drawn on speculation about his long-time mentor and rival.

“I cannot comment on that. I think the day that he decides to stay or leave, then we can comment,” Arteta said, responding to questions about Guardiola’s reported impending departure from the Etihad.

The news broke during Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Burnley on Monday night — a result that placed the Gunners firmly in control of the Premier League title race. Arteta’s side now travel to Bournemouth on Tuesday evening, where another positive result could move them closer to ending their long wait for a league championship. Bournemouth are chasing a Champions League qualification spot, making the fixture a high-stakes encounter for both clubs.

As things stand, neither Guardiola nor Manchester City have issued an official statement confirming the Spaniard’s exit. According to reports, the 55-year-old is expected to formally announce his departure shortly after City’s final Premier League fixture against Aston Villa. City themselves remain in contention for the title, meaning the season’s final day could carry monumental significance for multiple parties.

Guardiola’s time at Manchester City has been one of the most decorated managerial spells in English football history. He has claimed 20 trophies across his 10 seasons at the club, a run that has included multiple Premier League titles, Champions League glory, and domestic cup successes. This season alone, City have added the Carabao Cup to their cabinet, while the FA Cup was secured last weekend with a 1-0 defeat of Chelsea at Wembley.

The relationship between Arteta and Guardiola runs deep. The Arsenal manager spent more than three years as part of Guardiola’s coaching staff at the Etihad, learning the principles of the high-intensity, positional football that has since come to define his own work at Arsenal. That apprenticeship has placed the two managers in a unique dynamic — former colleagues now competing at the highest level of the English game.

Should Guardiola’s exit be confirmed, attention will quickly turn to his successor. Enzo Maresca, another former Guardiola assistant, is reportedly the frontrunner to take over at Manchester City. Maresca was sacked by Chelsea in January and has been without a club since. His familiarity with Guardiola’s methods and tactical philosophy is understood to make him an attractive candidate for the role.

The prospective managerial change at City comes at a pivotal moment for the club, which has faced significant off-field challenges in recent seasons, including ongoing proceedings related to alleged financial rule breaches — a case that continues to cast a shadow over their recent success.

For Arteta, the immediate priority remains singular: delivering Arsenal their first league title since the Invincibles season of 2003/04. Whether or not Guardiola departs the Etihad this summer, the legacy of their relationship — and the rivalry it eventually produced — will remain one of the defining narratives of this Premier League era.