Mikel Arteta has responded to speculation linking him with a move away from Arsenal at the end of the season, calling it “fake news.”
After Xavi announced he would step down as the Barcelona manager when this campaign draws to a close, a report emerged that Arteta was set to fill the vacancy at the Camp Nou.
Arteta has history with Barcelona, having come through the La Masia academy before making 42 appearances for the Catalan giants' B team – but quickly rubbished rumours about his return as a manager when he addressed reporters ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Nottingham Forest.
“What you read yesterday, I don’t know where it’s coming from,” Arteta said. “It’s totally untrue and I’m really upset about it.”
“I could not believe it. I don’t know where it’s coming from, it’s got no sources, it’s got nothing and I think we have to be very cautious when we talk about personal things, to put it in the way that it was put yesterday.”
Asked why he was so angry, he added: “Well, one is the consequence of the other. First of all, because I’m really cautious of when I talk publicly about my personal things, and when someone puts out a statement about what I said or did, it is upsetting.
“I understand that we are in this industry, and the second one is that no-one deserves to hear that in news like that.
“I’ve always been really straight, and I will say completely the opposite [to that] of how happy and grateful I am, and how much I enjoy where I am right now, so that’s the reason why I’m upset.”
Arteta’s forthright dismissal of an Emirates departure will be welcome news for Gunners fans. Under the Spaniard, Arsenal are once again title contenders and looked set to end their Premier League drought last season until stuttering with the winning line in sight. The 41-year-old has led Arsenal to one FA Cup and two Community Shields during his tenure and remains happy in north London.
“I’m in the right place. I’m with the right people, I feel really good about it and, as I said many times, I’m immersed in a beautiful journey with this football club, these players, this staff and our people and I’m investing still a lot for them.”
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