Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has fuelled speculation he could offer Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta a coaching role by saying they have a "great relationship."
The two played together at Paris Saint-Germain during the 2001-02 season and Arteta has been widely tipped to emulate Pochettino by going into management when his contract at Arsenal expires this summer.
Sources have told ESPN FC that Pep Guardiola is interested in making Arteta part of his backroom staff at Manchester City next season, but Pochettino refused to dismiss the idea of luring the Spanish midfielder over to the Gunners' North London rivals.
"I love him and he loves me. You know our history from Paris Saint-Germain, when he was 17 and I was the captain," Pochettino told reporters. "We have a very good relationship. The thing is rumours and you know I never speak about rumours."
Arteta's last two seasons have been hampered by injuries, and he has only been on the fringes of the first team squad even when fit during this campaign. He has made just eight league appearances this season, all of them as a substitute.
Arsene Wenger has openly encouraged Arteta to go into management, and could also offer the Spaniard a coaching role in order to keep him at the club.
"I really hope Mikel considers going into coaching. When you manage, you want to see your players continue and see them give their experience and knowledge back," Wenger said in October. "It would be great if someone like Mikel went into management, so somewhere the spirit of our game can survive through the players who have played for us."