Mikel Arteta makes Yaya Toure offer to lure Man City legend away from Tottenham

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has offered Yaya Toure the chance to gain coaching experience at the Emirates.

The Ivorian worked with Arteta at Manchester City when the Spaniard was Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad.

Toure is gaining experience ahead of completing his formal coaching qualifications.

He was the assistant manager at Ukrainian outfit Olimpik Donetsk earlier in the year and currently holds a similar position at Russian side Akhmat Grozny.

Toure is also volunteering at Tottenham, working alongside coaches Dean Rastrick and Chris Powell.

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And Arteta is happy for the ex-player to leave Arsenal's biggest rivals and continue his managerial education at the Emirates.

"He has my number because we spent some years together," said the Gunners boss. "He's a player I appreciate a lot and he has my number and can ask me the question.

"He certainly has the experience, the expertise and won a lot in the game to add value to the game for sure."

Toure was advised to move into coaching by his former Man City boss, Pep Guardiola.

"Guardiola and I used to talk after training about specific things, parts of the game that he loved to analyse," Toure told The Coaches' Voice in January.

"He saw that I understood the game. Sometimes I would also speak with the chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, too. He agreed I should consider becoming a coach.

"Up until then, I just thought I was thinking about how I was playing in a deeper way. I didn't really realise I was thinking like a coach.

"I'd always thought in that way. It came naturally to me."

Toure enjoyed significant success as a player with Barcelona, Man City and others, making more than 700 professional appearances.

During that time, he won three Premier League titles, two La Liga titles, the Africa Cup of Nations and several other major honours.

"I'm aware I need to learn everything and work my way up," added Toure. "It's all part of the journey and it's all really important.

"Thanks to everyone who has helped me in my transition into coaching, I'm getting the chance to start doing that.

"And because of the opportunities I've had to help out young players already, I'm now looking forward to the next stage of my career.

"Back when I was told I could be a coach, I wasn't at all sure. Now, though, I can see it too."

If Toure does accept Arteta's offer, he will be the second player to do so after Jack Wilshere.

The former Arsenal midfielder started a temporary coaching role with the club's U17s in October.

"Really enjoyed being part of the U17 coaching team last night in the London Cup," Wilshere wrote on Instagram.

"Thought the boys were brilliant and played some really good football. Looking forward to being involved more!"

Discussing Wilshere's role at Arsenal, Arteta added: "What you should believe is that we want to help Jack prepare for his next stage, physically, mentally.

"He wants to do his coaching badges again and we are prepared to fulfil all the needs that he wants... I am very happy to have him back."