Arsenal have not made an approach for Mikel Arteta, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has said.
The Gunners are once again searching or a new head coach following the decision to sack Unai Emery.
And just like when the search for Arsene Wenger's successor was ongoing, Arteta who is currently Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad Stadium - is among the names reportedly being considered for the top job.
Back in the summer of 2018 it looked like the former Gunners was to be appointed, only for Ivan Gazidis - chief executive at the time - got his wish to turn to Emery instead.
18 months later and the Spaniard has been sacked after just one full season in charge, meaning it's back to the drawing board for the Arsenal hierarchy.
Freddie Ljungberg has been placed in temporary charge whilst the search for a new head coach gets underway and there had been reports that the Gunners have made Arteta their number one choice to replace Emery.
Although, Guardiola has insisted there's been no contact from the north London outfit.
Speaking at his pre-Manchester United press conference on Friday afternoon, the Spaniard was rather muted in his response to three questions in regards to Arteta's future.
As reported by the Independent, Guardiola was asked if there's been any approach yet for Mikel Arteta and he said: "No."
Then he was asked if Arteta had spoken to him about his future and his response was: "No."
Before confirming that he wants the former midfielder to stay.
With that said, Guardiola has backed Arteta to succeed him at Man City.
"He's able to do that. But it depends on him, the club – many things that I cannot decide," he told reporters. "He's ready [to be a manager]. It’s right when he has an offer and he accepts the offer.
"But if you ask whether he's ready in his knowledge of the game, as a person, as a professional, then he's ready.
"I’m not a guy that puts a gun to the heads of my staff or players and says what they have to do.
"We're human beings and everyone has dreams and desires. Hopefully he can stay this season and the next one – as long as possible in this club.
"That would be my dream, but Mikel has his own life and I will never say what he has to do.
"I arrived here and we were in touch about working together and the time we've spent together has been magnificent.
"I tried to help him and he's helped me a lot. He knows what I want and what the club wants.
"Hopefully he will stay but, at the end of the season, I don’t know what's going to happen."
