Guardiola: Arsenal must not sack Arteta

Pep Guardiola has advised Arsenal not to fire Mikel Arteta despite the side’s poor run of form.

Arsenal lost 4-1 to Guardiola’s Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night at the Emirates Stadium, meaning the Gunners are winless in eight domestic league and cup matches.

Gabriel Jesus, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Rodri, while Alexandre Lacazette scored for Arsenal.

The Gunners are 15th in the Premier League and have been mentioned as relegation candidates, but Guardiola insists his former assistant deserves an opportunity to turn things around.

“I’m pretty sure they are going to trust him,” Guardiola said during his post-match press conference when asked if Arsenal need to stick with Arteta.

“They will do a big mistake if they are thinking [of dismissing him].”

Arteta himself has said that he has no plans to resign from his job and believes he has the support of the club.

Former Arsenal captain Arteta won the FA Cup in his first season in charge but the club’s fans have now turned on him, asking for him to be sacked.

But Guardiola is confident his fellow Spaniard has the ability to get the club winning again.

“I know his incredible quality as a human being and especially as a manager, how he is involved in everything,” he added.

“It’s just a question of time and he will do well.
“Football changes in one week so quick. I can speak about my experience alongside him – one of the most incredible, successful teams in English history we had, and he was part of this success.

“It would not be possible without him. To create something like this you need time like I had in my first season.”