Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta rubbishes rumors of departure amidst Barcelona links

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he won’t be leaving Arsenal at the end of the season despite rumors.

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez announced that he will leave the Spanish giants in the summer following their 5-3 La Liga defeat at home against Villarreal on Saturday, January 27. Following this, rumors started floating which linked Arteta to the Barca job.

Some reports on Sunday suggested that Arteta will leave Arsenal at the end of the season. However, the Spaniard has confirmed that this isn’t the case and he will stay at the Emirates. He also expressed his anger at such reports, saying:

“No. That’s totally fake news. What I read yesterday I don’t know where it’s coming from. I’m really upset about it. I could not believe it. I don’t know where it’s coming from. I think we have to be very careful when you talk about personal things especially. I’m in the right place.”

🔴⚪️ Arteta on contract talks: “This is something that will happen naturally when it happens”.

“I’ve got a strong relationship with the board. We’re not discussing new deal now but it will come in a natural way”.

“We’ve always done it that way and we’ve done it really well”. pic.twitter.com/Dzn5KOkHMF

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 29, 2024

Arteta also spoke about why the rumors made him angry, saying:

“One is a consequence of the other. First of all I’m really cautious when I talk publicly about my personal things. When someone puts a statement about what we’ve done personally. 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.”

Also Read: Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk delivers cryptic update about future at the club

Arteta spent five years at Arsenal as a player from 2011 before retiring in 2016. He played 150 games for the club and also contributed 16 goals and 11 assists.

The Spaniard was then appointed the Gunners’ manager in 2019 after Unai Emery’s sacking in November. Arteta led his side to an eighth, eighth, and fifth-placed finish in the Premier League in his first three seasons.

However, Arsenal fought for the title last season and lost narrowly to Manchester City by five points. The north London side are once again in the title race this season and sit third in the table, five points behind leaders Liverpool, after 21 games.