Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has revealed why he turned down the chance to become the manager of Newcastle United last summer following Rafael Benitez's departure from St James' Park.
Benitez left the Magpies last June after failing to agree a new contract with the club's hierarchy, bringing an end to his three-year spell on Tyneside.
Following Benitez's exit, Newcastle turned their attentions to Arteta, who was Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City at the time, in the hope of installing the former Everton and Arsenal midfielder as their new manager.
But Newcastle's hopes of landing Arteta, who took over as Gunners boss back in mid-December, never came to fruition, meaning the Magpies turned to Steve Bruce, who was in charge of Sheffield Wednesday at the time.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal's clash with Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon, Arteta told the Mail: "I was considering a situation that could change my professional and personal life.
"I had to put everything on the table to make that decision. I made the decision to stay."
Only a few months after being linked with the Newcastle job, Arteta, of course, exited the Etihad Stadium, taking up the manager's position at Arsenal.
On his decision to make that move, Arteta continued: "When something touches your heart in that moment it's very difficult to say no.
"Obviously this is a very special place for me."
