Mikel Arteta confirms decision to join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City following Arsenal exit

Former Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta has revealed that he has officially retired from professional football and is to join the coaching staff at Manchester City under new manager Pep Guardiola.

The Spaniard, who joined the Gunners in the 2011 summer transfer window from Premier League rivals Everton, released a statement via his official Twitter account in which he reflected on his five years at the club and also revealed his next destination.

Arteta was a key member in the 2013/14 squad that ended the club's nine-year wait for a major trophy as he played the entire 120 minutes of the dramatic 3-2 victory over Hull City in the FA Cup Final.

He was reduced to a bit-part role in the following campaign due to an ankle injury and the form of Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin in central midfield, but was afforded the chance to lift the trophy alongside Per Mertesacker as Arsenal retained the FA Cup in 2015.

The 34-year-old struggled with injuries again during his final year at the club, making just nine Premier League appearances - only one of which was a starter -  and was denied a perfect send off on the last day of the 2015/16 season as his effort has since gone down as a Mark Bunn own goal.

His departure will result in Gunners boss Arsene Wenger needing to appoint a new captain ahead of the new season.