All that needs to get sorted is the paperwork, and Mikel Arteta will be ready to take over from Unai Emery. However, it seemed Arsenal would need first to straighten things out with Manchester City, which claimed they had been largely ignored by the Gunners' hierarchy.
As reports surfaced that Arsenal and Arteta, presently serving as assistant to City team manager Pep Guardiola, have agreed in principle to a deal, officials at the Etihad have reportedly called out the Arsenal board.
BBC reported that while Arteta has duly advised Guardiola on the negotiations with Arsenal executives pertaining to his imminent transfer to the Emirates, no formal notice has been sent to City on the matter.
"It is understood there has still not been formal contact between the clubs, with a seven-figure release clause yet to be agreed," the report said.
Arteta agreeing on a deal with the Gunners will mean walking away from his contract with City, which is not expiring until 2021. It would mean paying a compensation package to City that will amount to £2 million.
A source from City told BBC that Etihad executives had been disappointed with their counterparts at the Emirates. Getting no word from Arsenal while the talks have been going on amounted to discourtesy and City officials have reportedly taken offense.
City has also learned that Arteta could be starting his new work with Arsenal as early as Friday and got frustrated that the whole process did not include the club.
"It's surprising to hear that plans are being made by Arsenal to unveil our coach as their head coach on Friday on the basis that no contact has been made by the club to discuss this matter," a source in Manchester City was reported as saying.
Metro said the Arsenal board seemed convinced that the agreement with Arteta is good as done, and the Spaniard is expected to take the helm in time for the match with Everton on Saturday. But it was noted as well that the deal would only be finalized once the question of the compensation package for City has been dealt with.
If true that Arteta has already signed up with the Gunners, it is believed he stands to earn £5 million per year for his service. Per the same report, the Spaniard has agreed to a contract that will see him managing Arsenal until 2023.
When asked on the imminent transfer of his No. 2 man, Guardiola said he has already said his piece on the subject, and it's no longer a piece of news that he has to comment on.
