Rio Ferdinand says Mikel Arteta would quit Arsenal for Man United

Rio Ferdinand believes Mikel Arteta would leave Arsenal for Manchester United if the opportunity arose.

The Spaniard has been in charge at the Emirates since 2019, when he replaced Unai Emery, and has transformed the Gunners’ on-field fortunes.

In his first two full seasons in charge, Arteta guided Arsenal to eighth and fifth-placed finishes, before they challenged for the title last season.

Could Arsenal end their wait for a title after 20 years?

Arsenal are the form team in the Premier League and again look like serious contenders to win a first Premier League title since 2004.

Ferdinand’s old team United, on the other hand, lost their 10th league game of the season on Saturday and sit sixth, 16 points off leaders Liverpool and eight off a top-four spot.

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Erik ten Hag’s position could come into question between now and the beginning of next season now that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been handed full sporting control of the club, and Ferdinand thinks Arteta would leave Arsenal if United came knocking.

“Arteta would leave Arsenal to join Man United, 100 per cent,” Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.

“No one is saying it’s happening but if Man United in a wild dream said, ‘do you know what, Erik ten Hag, thank you’ or Erik ten Hag has been poached by Bayern Munich, and he goes there, and then Man United say top of the list is Arteta, Arteta is going in and saying to the lads, ‘listen guys, it’s been emotional but I’ve got to move, I’ve got to go.'”