Mikel Arteta Not Interested in Barcelona Move As Arsenal Boss Brushes Off Links to Boyhood Club

• Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has brushed off speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona, as Xavi’s future as the Catalans’ coach remains at risk
• Arteta insists he is currently happy at Arsenal after guiding the Gunners to the top of the English Premier League table this season
• Xavi has been under intense pressure at Camp Nou, after failing to guide Barcelona to the Champions League knockout stages for the second consecutive season

Mikel Arteta is not prepared to leave Arsenal anytime soon, after the Spaniard rubbished reports linking him with a return to boyhood club Barcelona.

Barcelona has identified Arteta as a long-time replacement for current manager Xavi, after he yet again failed to guide the Catalans to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

According to ESPN, Arteta has disclosed that he is happy with his present job at Arsenal, insisting Barcelona are on a good path with Xavi in charge.

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"What I can say is that I'm extremely happy and proud to be where I am... I think [Barcelona] have a phenomenal coach, who is an absolute legend at the club and has lifted the whole place. You have to be very respectful of that."

Arteta took over as Gunners boss in December 2019 and has overseen impressive progress during his time at the Emirates, winning the FA Cup in his first season.

Bellerin wants Barcelona emulating Arsenal

Meanwhile, Barcelona right defender Hector Bellerin has urged the Spanish giants to approach Xavi with the same tolerance that Arsenal showed Mikel Arteta, Daily Mirror reports.

Bellerin believes Arsenal’s patience with Arteta is the same approach the Catalans must show towards Xavi, in light of the club’s Champions League group-stage exit.

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Xavi has been under intense pressure at Camp Nou and reports suggest the Barcelona board are now considering replacing him with Arteta.

Barcelona targets Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Barcelona are considering Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta as a potential replacement for Xavi, when the 42-year-old manager inevitably leaves the Catalan giants.

Since taking over from Unai Emery back in 2019, Arteta has been able to drastically improve Arsenal's on-field results, thanks to his distinct ideology and effective transfer strategy.

Arteta is a firm candidate for the Barcelona managerial job if Xavi is eventually let go by the Spanish giants, following the Blaugrana's poor Champions League run.