The former Arsenal captain
released a lengthy statement on his Twitter page reflecting on his time as a
player, as well as underlining his excitement at the prospect of working
alongside Guardiola, who will be formally unveiled as the new City boss on Sunday.
'I've enjoyed an amazing five years
at Arsenal and it's been an honour and a privilege to captain such a great
club. I would like to personally thank the manager, board, all of my team-mates
and of course the fans for the fantastic support I've received during my time
there.
'I will always remember my time
at the Emirates and have gained memories during my time at the club that will
stay with me forever - none more so than winning the FA Cups and Community
Shields in consecutive seasons - the club's first trophies in a decade.
'Throughout my playing career I
was fortunate enough to play for some fantastic clubs. Moving to the UK was a
big decision for me early in my career but it was without doubt the best
decision I could have made and helped shaped both the player I became on the pitch
as well as the person I am today off it.
'I will never forget the support
that I've enjoyed from the fans and people of all the clubs I played for in the
UK, I must give a special mention to the respect and loyalty I've received from
the Rangers and Everton fans over the years, as well as the support I got from
the fans of PSG and Real Sociedad, without forgetting my first professional
club Barcelona... Thank you all for everything.'
Arteta moved to Britain in 2002
to join Rangers, who he played for for two years before returning to Spain with
Real Sociedad for a season.
After a loan spell at Everton,
he joined the Goodison Park outfit on permanent terms in 2005 and played for
the blue half of Merseyside for six years, before Arsene Wenger swooped for the
midfielder in 2011.
His final appearance for Arsenal
came on the last day of the 2015-16 season in the 4-0 win against Aston Villa
and the Spaniard left the field in tears as he acknowledged his playing days
were drawing to a close.
'I am now looking forward to the
challenge ahead at Manchester City,' Arteta said. 'The opportunity to join Pep
Guardiola and his team was an amazing opportunity for me and I am incredibly
excited for the future.
'Throughout my career I have
always been interested in more than just the playing side and have had a
passion for helping progress and develop the team outside of just my own role
as a player.
'Coaching has always been
something I've been keen to go in to and over the past few years I've worked
hard off the pitch as well as on it to develop my skills in order to put me in
a position to be able to pursue a coaching role once I finished playing.
'I have been lucky enough to
play under some amazing coaches and managers during my playing career and I
hope to use elements of everything I've learnt from them as well as experience
from my own playing career to help City achieve success.
'Thank you again to everyone and
let's keep enjoying this amazing sport that is football.'
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