Mikel Arteta wants to build a legacy at Arsenal amid genuine interest from Barcelona.
The Gunners head coach slammed what he described as ‘totally fake news’ from Spain on Sunday night that Arteta has already told his backroom staff he could replace Xavi, who is stepping down as Barcelona manager this summer.
However, Barcelona’s interest in Arteta is real, although there is a confidence at Arsenal that their head coach would not be tempted by a move to Catalonia at the moment.
The Spaniard has just 18 months left on his contract at the Emirates but all parties are relaxed about the situation amid an understanding that the 41-year-old will extend his deal at the Emirates.
There was legitimate bewilderment over the reports from Arteta on Sunday night. Privately he is fully committed to bringing major trophies to Arsenal, a stance he reiterated publicly on Monday.
Mikel Arteta wants to build a legacy at Arsenal amid genuine interest from Barcelona
Xavi will be stepping down from his role as the Barcelona head coach at the end of the season
In contrast to conditions at Arsenal, Barcelona are currently in a state of transition on the pitch and are operating within a tight financial framework.
And ahead of their match against Nottingham Forest today, a visibly irritated Arteta, when asked about the Spanish reports, said: ‘That’s totally fake news. I don’t know where it is coming from and it is totally untrue. I am really upset about it.
‘I could not believe it. It has no source. It has got nothing and I think we have to be very cautious when you talk about personal things.
‘I am really cautious when I talk publicly about my personal things and when someone puts a statement saying something I said or did, it is upsetting.’
He went on to reaffirm his commitment to the Gunners, a club he has spent nine years in total as a player and then manager.
‘I am in the right place,’ he said. ‘I am with the right people. I feel really good about it. And, as I said many times, I am invested in a beautiful journey with this football club, with these players, these staff, our people, and there is still a lot, a lot to do.
‘We all share that ambition and you can feel it as well, that we want more, that we aren’t satisfied and that the club wants to take another push and another level in everything we are doing – this is where we are. We need everyone on board to achieve it and I am certainly on board.’