Mikel Arteta could join Pep Guardiola's coaching staff at Manchester City if he decides to hang up his boots and retire at the end of the season.

The Arsenal midfielder, whose contract expires this summer, is a close friend of the incoming City boss after playing in Barcelona's academy while Guardiola was a first-team regular.

Arteta is determined to become a coach and has already completed some of his badges. He has also gained experience by working with the Gunners' Under 13s and Wales' Under 16s.

Mikel Arteta could be offered a first-team coaching role by incoming Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola

Guardiola watches his Bayern Munich players in training on Monday ahead of their game against Juventus

Arteta, pictured with Gabriel on Monday, has only made eight Premier League appearances this season

Guardiola is set to bring fitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventura - another friend of Arteta - with him to the Etihad when his contract expires at the end of the season.

And the Spaniard is now considering offering the former Everton and Rangers star a first-team role within his backroom team as he prepares for his first job in the Premier League.

MIKEL ARTETA FACTFILE Age: 33 Clubs: Antiguoko (1994-97), Barcelona (1997-2002), PSG (loan 2001-02), Rangers (2002-04), Real Sociedad (2004-05), Everton (loan 2005, 2005-11), Arsenal (2011-present) Total appearances: 478 Goals: 68 Honours: Intertoto Cup (PSG, 2001), Scottish Premiership (Rangers, 2002-03), Scottish League Cup (Rangers, 2003), FA Cup (Arsenal, 2014 and 2015) Advertisement

Arteta, who is keeping his options open after visiting Guardiola at Bayern's Sabener Strasse training complex, has suffered a number of injuries over the last two seasons, with a calf problem restricting him to just eight top-flight appearances this term.

The 33-year-old only played seven times in the Premier League during the previous campaign and there is a growing feeling that his deal will not be renewed this summer.

Guardiola and Arteta, who both came through Barca's famed La Masia academy, were pictured in conversation on the side of the Emirates pitch after Arsenal's 2-0 Champions League win against Bayern in October last year.

Arsene Wenger could offer Arteta a role at Arsenal if he does not continue his playing career elsewhere, although it is unlikely to be as senior as the position with Guardiola and City.

Guardiola, pictured with Xabi Alonso, will bring his own backroom team to Manchester City this summer

Arteta is out of contract at Arsenal this summer and could choose to retire to pursue a career in coaching

Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta were deep in conversation pitch side long after the match. #AFCvBAY @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/MEZ7DXkfJc — Des Kelly (@TheDesKelly) October 20, 2015

Speaking in December last year, Wenger said: 'He has to go through the youth system first, but I don't rule that out (that he could be on the coaching staff).

'At the moment I don't have a real need. Our average age is quite high on my staff. They are all good. I am happy with all my staff at the moment. But I think he can be a coach in the future yes and certainly here.'