Mikel Arteta shuts down Barcelona rumours with perfect response that will delight Arsenal fans

Mikel Arteta has finally addressed recent rumors linking him to a potential move to Barcelona. He’s reportedly among the candidates to succeed Xavi, who announced his decision to resign as manager at the season’s end. Barcelona has shown interest in Arteta for some time, with previous links emerging after Ronald Koeman’s departure in October 2021. Recent reports from Spain suggest that Arteta might be considering a surprise departure from Arsenal in June, as he allegedly confided in close associates about his potential exit at the end of the current season.

Arteta, who has a history with Barcelona from his youth career, has rejected the reports linking him to the managerial position at Camp Nou. During his pre-match press conference, he stated, “No. That’s completely false. I’m not sure where these rumors originated from. It’s really upsetting.” He further commented, “I was shocked. I don’t understand where this is coming from. We need to exercise caution, especially when discussing personal matters.”

“I’m in the right place,” Arteta affirmed regarding his current position. Regarding his contract, he stated, “I’m not sure. I have a strong rapport with the board. Things progress naturally. Historically, that’s how we’ve handled it, and it’s been successful.”

When questioned about his frustration regarding the Barcelona rumors, Arteta responded, “One thing leads to another. Firstly, I’m very careful about discussing my personal matters publicly. When someone makes statements about our personal dealings…”

“Secondly because I don’t think someone deserves to hear news like that. I’ve always said completely the opposite. That’s why I feel upset.”

Arteta, who served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, took over as manager in December 2019 following Unai Emery’s departure and is contracted until 2025. During his tenure, he has overseen 211 matches, winning 121, and led Arsenal to FA Cup success in the 2019/20 season. Last season, the 41-year-old came close to clinching the Premier League title as Arsenal finished second, trailing Manchester City by five points. The team’s last match was a comfortable 5-0 win over Crystal Palace earlier this month. They will resume their league campaign tomorrow against Nottingham Forest. Currently, Arsenal sits in third place with 43 points, five points behind league leaders Liverpool.