Pep Guardiola comment spells trouble for Arsenal star after target’s Mikel Arteta praise

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Bayern Munich star Leroy Sane, who previously worked with Mikel Arteta during his time at Manchester City

Leroy Sane was described as the best winger in the world by Pep Guardiola during his time at Manchester City. Arsenal have reportedly stepped up their interest in Sane, with the Bayern Munich forward set to be available on a free transfer.

The 29-year-old was widely expected to sign a lower-salary contract with Bayern, but a change of agent led Sane to weigh up his options elsewhere. The Telegraph has reported that Arsenal subsequently made enquiries and have emerged with an interest in the former Man City star, who previously worked with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta during his time in Manchester.

It is an important summer transfer window for Arsenal as the club aim to win the Premier League next season for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign. However, though Sane may improve the Gunners, Guardiola’s praise for the Germany international in a City shirt could spell trouble for Gabriel Martinelli’s spot in the side.

When asked whether Sane could play as a striker, Guardiola replied: “Playing in the middle he can do it,” he said in February 2019. “But I think he’s better out wide.

“I’m not saying he can’t (play in middle) but at the moment we have better players to do that job. But Leroy is best playing in the world out wide. I’d prefer to use him where he is strongest, he’s an incredible player.”

Arsenal have identified signing a new striker as a priority, while Raheem Sterling’s return to Chelsea also opens up squad space for a new winger. Given Guardiola’s comments, Sane would be best suited out wide. Bukayo Saka is an undisputed starter for Arsenal on the right, meaning Sane’s arrival would threaten Martinelli’s space on the opposite flank.

It has been five years since Sane left City for Bayern. He scored 11 goals and registered six assists in 30 league games as the German side reclaimed the Bundesliga title last month. During his four-year spell in England, Sane won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, and two League Cups.

For the majority of his time at City, Sane worked with current Arsenal boss Arteta, who was part of Guardiola’s coaching staff. The winger has praised Arteta’s influence on his career on multiple occasions, including when the Gunners faced Bayern in the Champions League in April 2024.

“It was great. I was really pleased to work with him because he helped me a lot at Manchester City,” Sane admitted. “We had a lot of individual talk about how I can improve my game. What are my weaknesses and strengths?

“Through him, I made quick, huge improvements because of the ideas he gave to me. I still keep them in my mind. If it’s about positioning, how I have to behave in certain situations, so I’m pleased for that.”

In an early phase of Arteta’s reign at Arsenal, Sane backed his former coach to be a success. “I can just say positive things about Mikel Arteta,” Sane told The Independent in July 2020. “Since we started working together, he helped me a lot on the pitch.

“He tried to improve my football; he told me what I did good and what I did wrong, and he tried to work on it. Next to Pep, they both really helped me and improved me, to bring me to the next level.

“Even now, at Arsenal, for me you can see he’s doing a great job. You can see he has a concept, a way that he wants to play, a way that he wants his team to play, and obviously it will take some time until everybody really understands it. I think he will do a great job as a [head] coach too.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.