Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confirms Mikel Arteta is closing in on move to join Pep Guardiola's Manchester City coaching team

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Mikel Arteta is poised to join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City next season.

Sportsmail revealed on Thursday that the Arsenal midfielder had received a firm offer from the Guardiola to join his coaching team next season.

And Wenger admits Arteta could join City, saying: 'It's possible. It's true that he is out of contract here.

Mikel Arteta (centre) is set to link up with incoming Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium

Mikel Arteta (centre) is set to link up with incoming Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has thanked Arteta (pictured in August 2014) for his service to the club

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has thanked Arteta (pictured in August 2014) for his service to the club

Guardiola is aiming to add Arsenal midfielder Arteta to his coaching staff at Manchester City

Guardiola is aiming to add Arsenal midfielder Arteta to his coaching staff at Manchester City

MIKEL ARTETA'S ARSENAL CAREER

Appearances: 149


Goals: 16

Honours

FA Cup: 2013–14, 2014–15

Community Shield: 2014, 2015

'His contract finishes here. It's a good opportunity for me to thank him for his contribution not only as a player but as a leader.

'I heard about that possibility (of going to City) but he is able to inform you much better than I.

'He is free to decide to do what he wants, he will certainly need some time to reflect on whether he continues to play. 

'I still think he can play, in the last months he has come back to a very good physical level and he is a position today where he can continue to play and he would be a very good player.' 

Wenger admitted he was reluctant to dish out coaching roles to former players as he is unable to create 'artificial positions' at the club. 

He added: 'You want your former players to be at the club but you also need the positions to fill. You cannot create artificial positions at the club. 

'If you have coaches in the Under 16s, Under 15s and Under 14s who are very good, you will not kick them out to make room for players who want to coach. If we have positions available, we always give a good chance to the players who played here.

'Let’s not forget I’ve given the opportunity to many, many players to obtain their licence here, to educate them. After that maybe there will be someone else. We always open the door to give them an opportunity to be educated. After that we need the positions available to give them the job.' 

Incoming Manchester City head coach Guardiola will bring his trusted team of Carles Planchart, Domenec Torrent and fitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventura with him to England but he will make other additions and wants to include Arteta on his backroom staff.

The Spaniard looks to be making a move into coaching after struggling for first-team football at the Emirates

The Spaniard looks to be making a move into coaching after struggling for first-team football at the Emirates

Arteta (right) has started looking at properties in the North West so he can relocate his young family

Arteta (right) has started looking at properties in the North West so he can relocate his young family

Guardiola’s connection with Arteta goes back to the time they were at Barcelona together in the early 2000s

Guardiola’s connection with Arteta goes back to the time they were at Barcelona together in the early 2000s

The Arsenal midfielder has been limited to 13 appearances this season, the last of which was a 19-minute run-out against Burnley in the FA Cup on January 30.

His contract expires at the end of this campaign and, after five years at the Emirates Stadium, he will pursue a new challenge. 

Though no deal has been signed, the 34-year-old has started looking at properties in the North West so he can relocate his young family. 

Meanwhile, Wenger has sent a message of congratulations to newly-crowned Premier League champions Leicester after the Foxes clinched the title on Monday night. 

'Congratulations to their chairman, to Claudio Ranieri and their players,' said Wenger. 'It is a remarkable achievement. The fact is their success is based on team spirit, and a real deep quality of their game. 

'That makes it even more fantastic for them. If you look at their results, you have to say they only lost three games. That is remarkable looking at the number of competitors you have and the quality of those competitors.' 

Wenger insists he does help former Arsenal stars go into coaching with Thierry Henry being a prime example

Wenger insists he does help former Arsenal stars go into coaching with Thierry Henry being a prime example

The Frenchman found time to lavish praise on Claudio Ranieri and Leicester City following their title triumph

The Frenchman found time to lavish praise on Claudio Ranieri and Leicester City following their title triumph