Fake News - Mikel Arteta denies leaving Arsenal for Barcelona

Mikel Arteta confirms he will not be leaving Arsenal for Barcelona. || Photo Credit: Imago/Rex

Fake News - Mikel Arteta denies leaving Arsenal for Barcelona

Tosin Abayomi 16:00 - 29.01.2024

Mikel Arteta confirms he will not be leaving Arsenal for Barcelona.

According to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, there are "totally untrue" suggestions that he will take over as manager of Barcelona after Xavi.

Xavi made the announcement on Saturday that he would be leaving the position at the end of the current campaign.

Arteta, who came through Barcelona's junior system, was reportedly considering quitting his position with the Gunners, according to the Spanish tabloid Sport.

After spending time on loan at Paris St-Germain, Arteta never appeared in a competitive match for Barcelona's first team.

Mikel Arteta confirms he will not be leaving Arsenal for Barcelona. || Picture credit: David Klein / Sportimage
Mikel Arteta confirms he will not be leaving Arsenal for Barcelona. || Picture credit: David Klein / Sportimage

Instead, the former midfield player played for Rangers, Real Sociedad, Everton, and Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta debunks leaving Arsenal for Barcelona

Arteta, whose Arsenal contract runs until the summer of 2025 has debunked the claim he is leaving for Barcelona.

Mikel Arteta confirms he will not be leaving Arsenal for Barcelona. || Picture credit: David Klein / Sportimage  || Credit: Getty
Mikel Arteta confirms he will not be leaving Arsenal for Barcelona. || Picture credit: David Klein / Sportimage || Credit: Getty

He said, "Who, me? No. That is totally fake news.

"What you read, I'm really upset about it. I couldn't believe it. It has no sources.

"I'm in the right place with the right people and feel really good about it.

Mikel Arteta confirms he will not be leaving Arsenal for Barcelona. . (Photo Credit: PL)
Mikel Arteta confirms he will not be leaving Arsenal for Barcelona. . (Photo Credit: PL)

"I'm embracing a beautiful journey with this club and there's still a lot to do. 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."

Mikel Arteta confirms he will not be leaving Arsenal for Barcelona.  || Photo Credit: Imago || Image credit: Imago
Mikel Arteta confirms he will not be leaving Arsenal for Barcelona. || Photo Credit: Imago || Image credit: Imago

Arteta and Arsenal

Before taking over as the Gunners' manager in December 2019, he served as a coach for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

With the North London team, he won the FA Cup in 2020.

Mikel Arteta confirms he will not be leaving Arsenal for Barcelona.  || Photo Credit: Imago
Mikel Arteta confirms he will not be leaving Arsenal for Barcelona. || Photo Credit: Imago

The previous season, Arsenal lost to Manchester City in the Premier League after being passed late in the race for first place.

Prior to their match at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, the Gunners are five points behind leaders Liverpool and are in third place.

In the final sixteen of the Champions League, they will play Porto.

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