Mikel Arteta keen on taking charge at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta is reportedly keen on taking up the head coach role at Arsenal but won't force his departure from Manchester City.

The Spaniard has been serving as the assistant to manager Pep Guardiola for the past three years and he is said to have the ambition of stepping into a managerial role.

According to The Sun, the former Arsenal captain is keen on a return to the Emirates in a managerial capacity but he would not want to upset the Cityzens by doing so.

Guardiola has recently stated that his compatriot won't leave the club until the summer at the least and it appears that the 37-year-old will only join the Gunners, if he receives the green light from the Premier League champions.

Arteta is currently the prime target to succeed Unai Emery as the next Gunners boss but the club are also said to hold an interest in former star Patrick Vieira, who is presently in charge of Nice.