Pep Guardiola confirmed Mikel Arteta is in London waiting to be announced as the next Arsenal manager.
The Manchester City coach has been in advanced talks with the Gunners this week and, after being in the dugout for the away game with Oxford on Wednesday, he has now finished his duties with the Blues.
Arteta was not present as the squad trained ahead of the Premier League game on Thursday or Friday and will not be at the Etihad for their clash with Leicester on Saturday.
Arsenal, having moved their press conference from Thursday to Friday ahead of an expected announcement, had still not given a time for their pre-match briefing as of Friday afternoon.
However, Guardiola expects a deal to be wrapped up soon.
"He's in London, he's close to finishing a deal with Arsenal," he said. "It’s almost done. Yesterday he was not in training today he was not in training. He’s moving to Arsenal. I don’t know the details of the contract."
"When you have a dream you cannot stop it. Arsenal was an important part of Mikel's career. One of the best teams in England. We wish him all the best. I am pretty sure he will do an excellent job."
City's manager also confirmed that Arteta will not be replaced this season in the backroom staff, with the team carrying on without Arteta.
.jpg?w=600)
