Rio Ferdinand has made a wild claim that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will 100 per cent leave the club and join Manchester United in a heartbeat if given the chance to do so.
It is a really awkward take by the former United centre-back who believes that the Spaniard will be at the top of the list.
The Gunner’s coach has helped the club rise to the top of the Premier League since joining them in 2019. Arteta’s team finished second in the PL last season and they are placed third this season.
The North Londoners are just two points behind league leaders Liverpool. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag’s side have failed to maintain a level of consistency since joining the Old Trafford outfit.
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Man United are placed at the sixth position in the table, 14 points behind Arsenal. They have been knocked out of the UCL and have made some poor decisions in the transfer market.
On the other hand, Arsenal have made top notch signings and are playing in the round of 16 of the UCL. The future looks really bright for the club under Arteta.
However out of nowhere, Ferdinand believes that Ten Hag’s job is at risk and Arteta will be ready to join the English rivals this summer.
While talking on Vibe with Five podcast, the former United player said:
“Arteta would leave Arsenal to go to Man United, 100 per cent. Nobody 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 Manchester United say, “Right, top of our 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, good luck next season!”
Ferdinand’s claims will surely trigger Arsenal fans
Both United and Arsenal fans will be surprised by the fact that how did Ferdinand even think about this claim.
Arteta has a long way to go with the Gunners. His current contract expires in 2025 and looking at his progress, there are chances that he might be in favor of staying for much longer.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been silent on Ten Hag’s future at the club. A lot depends upon how the Dutchman fares until the end of the season.
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However, it doesn’t mean that Arteta will join the English rivals and halt his current progress in North London.
Ratcliffe and his team are keeping faith in Ten Hag and will be hoping that the former Ajax coach ends the season on a high.
