Mikel Arteta 'really upset' about Barcelona links with Arsenal boss dismissing reports as 'totally fake news'

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta emphatically refuted any reports linking him with Barcelona’s looming head coach vacancy at the end of the season.

The shock rumours began circulating just a day after Xavi announced he would leave Barca at the end of the season, following a 5-3 defeat to Villarreal on Saturday.

This prompted reports in Spain to suggest that Arteta could take up the position this summer, but the Gunners boss was clearly aggrieved by the links in his pre-match press conference.

When asked if there were any truth in the reports, he said: "No. That's totally fake news.

"I don't know where it is coming from, it's totally untrue and I'm very upset about it.

"I could not believe it. It has no sources. You have to be cautious when you write things in the way it was yesterday.

"I'm in the right place and I feel good about it. I'm embracing a journey with this club and there's a long way still to go. I have a strong relationship with the board.

"Things come in a natural way. When the time is right we will have those [contract] discussions and find the best way to deal with it.

"I'm cautious when I talk publicly about my personal things. I don't think anyone deserves to hear that in news like that. I have always been straight and said the opposite. I'm so happy where I am now."

Arteta was also pressed on why he was so enraged by the links, and if the reason was due to the relationship he had built up with the fans.

“One is a consequence of the other," he explained.

"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."

The Spaniard’s current deal at the Emirates expires in June 2025, but says the focus is on the greater good to help take the club to the next level.

“There is a lot to do here and we all share that ambition,” he added.

"You can feel it that we want more, we aren't satisfied and the club wants another push to go to another level. We have everyone on board to achieve it.

"I always felt it was my team because when you take a decision to coach or manage a club you have to make those calls and maximise everything.

"My job became more normal after the Covid situation and I'm enjoying it a lot.

"We are on the right track but we are very far from my vision of where this club needs to be. We navigated some difficult moments through Covid and my belief is that created a really strong attachment and belief that we are the right people to take the club forward. We used it in the right way."

However, Arteta admits that talks are yet to get underway regarding a new contract at the Emirates, with his current deal expiring next year.

When asked if he had held talks with the club over a new deal, he replied: "No we haven’t.

"This is something that will happen naturally when it happens, if it has to happen."

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