Mikel Arteta would welcome Lionel Messi into the Premier League even if it makes life more difficult for Arsenal.
Messi is teetering on the brink of a Barcelona exit, and Manchester City are one of the frontrunners to sign him if a financial package can be agreed; a clause in Messi's contract that would allow him to leave for free has been disputed.
Former City assistant Arteta, now in the hotseat at the Emirates, has already made progress in closing the gap to the Blues by beating them at Wembley en route to FA Cup glory this summer.
City are keen to make a deal for Messi happen if possible, although how much money it will cost for him to leave Barcelona remains a significant hurdle to clear.
Were Pep Guardiola to bring the 33-year-old to the Etihad the gap with Arsenal and other teams could widen again if the forward shows the kind of form he has produced for more than a decade in La Liga.
However, Arteta used the example of playing against Cristiano Ronaldo to explain why all of the Premier League should welcome Messi.
“He’s been linked everywhere. He has more clubs than any other player in history after him," he said. "I’ve been a Barcelona fan since I was young so it’s always sad to see what in my opinion has been the best player in football history leave that football club.
“But, I don’t know, let’s see what happens and if he comes to England, we are all going to enjoy it. It doesn’t matter if it’s against Arsenal. It’s good for football. If it’s not there we might find him in the Champions League.
“You want the best players in your league. For me, that is the best thing as an athlete, to have the most competitive league in the world.
“The Premier League always had that. With Ronaldo, I played against him when he was great, it raises the level of every individual and every team as well.”
