Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted he is ‘extremely happy’ and ‘proud’ to be where he is after being linked with the Barcelona job.
Recent reports in the Spanish press have claimed the Gunners boss is being eyed by the Spanish giants as a possible replacement for Nou Camp legend Xavi.
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Arteta came through Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth academy and played for the Catalan club’s C and B teams in the early days of his playing career, before he first joined British football in 2002 with Rangers.
And with Xavi under pressure after the team failed to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages for the second consecutive season, Arteta has been linked with a return.
The former Spain midfielder has clearly impressed his former club with his work at Arsenal, where he has overseen major changes in the club’s operation behind the scenes as well as on the pitch.
The Gunners currently sit top of the Premier League, and are two points above defending champions Manchester City, after losing just one of their opening 12 games of the season, and many fans hoping their club has finally returned to where they should be.
Few can resist the lure of Barcelona, though, and losing Arteta now would be a hammer blow to Arsenal’s plans.
However, Arteta and soothed any fears he could leave the Emirates Stadium hotseat.
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Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League clash with FC Zurich, Arteta said: “No [I don’t make anything of it].
“What I can say is I’m extremely happy and proud to be where I am.”
Arteta added that he believes Barcelona are on the right track under Xavi, who he has tremendous respect for.
“I think Barcelona are in a really good path,” he said.
“They [have] a phenomenal coach who has been an absolute legend in that club and has lifted the whole place, and you have to be respectful of that.”
Xavi recently spoke out about Barcelona’s hopes for the season after crashing out of the Champions League, admitting fans should save their trophy dreams for next year.
talkSPORT has been told exiting Europe’s top tier at this stage will be ‘devastating’ to Barcelona’s finances and a huge obstacle in their pursuit for stability.
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However, Xavi has insisted Barca are on the ‘right path’, despite dropping down into the Europa League – which is probably not something the Camp Nou faithful will want to hear.
“We lack maturity – we have a lot of youngsters and we’ve had the worst Champions League group in years,” he said before their final group game against Czech side Viktoria Plzen, which Barca won 4-2.
“We’ve had injuries. They’re not excuses, but that has hurt us. With respect to last season, we have a better squad and we have given a better image in Europe. But we haven’t been up to the task.
“We have tried to compete in the Champions [League] and it wasn’t enough. The steps we have taken with respect to last year were smaller than we expected, but we have to be patient and keep working.
“We have to persist and there is no need to hesitate. We are in the Europa League. We are on the right path. The titles will be won in 2023, we have to wait to see if we have options.”
