Pep Guardiola said losing Mikel Arteta to Arsenal was "uncomfortable" but admitted there was little he could do to convince him not to return to his former club.
Manchester City No 2 Arteta is expected to become the Gunners' next manager with the North London club hoping he will be in charge for Saturday’s trip to Everton .
Arteta is set to be alongside City boss Pep Guardiola for their Carabao Cup tie away to Oxford United on Wednesday night.
But the former Arsenal captain is now believed to be ready to finalise a three-and-a-half year deal at the Emirates after extensive negotiations in the past 48 hours.
Asked to give a reason why 37-year-old Arteta should stay at City and not go to his former club, Guardiola said: “It is a good argument. Why not?
“It is uncomfortable for me. It is a question for Mikel, I am not in his brain. We talk about it a little bit but his feelings are his feelings.
“But I said many times, and it's the same with the players, if they have other desires or wishes whatever, what can we do?
“We are not going to tell him, stay, stay stay, if he doesn't want to stay.”
City's hierarchy were angered after pictures emerged of Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and club lawyer Huss Fahmy leaving Arteta’s house in the early hours of Monday morning.
The previous day City had beaten Arsenal 3-0 at the Emirates, and there had been no mention of an approach between boards during the Premier League clash.
However, Guardiola insisted he was not surprised by the furtive negotiations - saying Arteta had been honest with him throughout Arsenal's courtship of him.
Guardiola said: “Mikel was honest with me, he explained everything that happened, the steps but after that I didn't ask what you want to do.
“I don’t want to be involved. I am a guy that likes the people live with freedom and do what you want.
“He knows exactly what we think about him, at the club, after that, we cannot do more. I think the club has done everything and we cannot do any more.”
The City boss added: “All the clubs around the world make behind the scenes the first contact, try to avoid the clubs that are in charge so that process is normal.
“All I can say from what I’m concerned is that Mikel was clear with me and that’s all. Perhaps there is a problem with the chairmen and the CEOs - (but) they have to talk to each other.”
City visit League One promotion chasers Oxford United on Wednesday night targeting a third consecutive Carabao Cup trophy.
David Silva and Sergio Aguero are still out injured, despite the latter having returned to training this week following a thigh injury.
However, there has been good news for City on winger Leroy Sane, who has returned to training on his own.
Guardiola said: “The next step is to get to the pitch and the next round will be to start training with us.”
“A full training session is incredibly good news for him and for all of us.”
If Arteta does take the Arsenal job as expected, it is thought he may not be replaced immediately.
