Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta discusses the possibility of joining Barcelona

Arteta distances himself from Barcelona job

Arsenal boss

goal.com/en/news/arsenal-have-room-for-saliba-next-season-after-marseille-heroics-/1duftw8ft7kde1diaw9g2c1i6t” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Mikel Arteta

recently spoke out about the possibility of him taking up a new post with Spanish giants Barcelona after the club parted ways with Ronald Koeman in the wake of their shock defeat to Rayo Vallecano in midweek.

🗣️ “I’m extremely happy at Arsenal.”

Mikel Arteta reacts to reports linking him with the vacant Barcelona job and insists his only focus is on his work at #AFC 🔊 pic.twitter.com/uHozdd9TGe

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 29, 2021

Arteta distanced himself from the prospect of making a return to the club where he began his footballing journey after graduating from the club’s famed La Masia youth set up before making a senior debut during a season-long loan at Paris Saint Germain in 2001-02.

“I just hope that everything works out well [for Barcelona]. I’m extremely happy at Arsenal, I feel privileged to be here, and my only focus is here.” Note: quote via Sporf citing SkySports.

Arsenal in good form under the Spaniard

With four wins and two draws in their last-six Premier League outings – including two strong showings against Tottenham and Aston Villa – Arsenal are one of the in-form sides in the English top flight after what was an incredibly troubling start to the 2021-22 season.

The Gunners began the campaign with three losses from their opening three fixtures, including a frustrating opening weekend defeat to Thomas Frank’s Brentford before being battered by Manchester City and comfortably dispatched by Chelsea.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates with Alexandre Lacazette after scoring their team’s second goal as Nuno Tavares and Emile Smith Rowe look on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on October 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

But Arsenal’s young squad have successfully been course-corrected under Arteta this season, and their recent form suggests that the worst could well be behind them in a campaign bereft of any continental commitments to distract from their ultimate domestic goals.

As a side that sit joint-second in the form table with a tricky fixture against Leicester City to tackle at the weekend, another three point haul would be just what the doctor ordered for Mikel Arteta as he looks to continue to grow his young reputation on the Emirates touchline.