'Upset' Arteta dismisses Barca link as totally untrue

Mikel Arteta has dismissed claims he could be leaving Arsenal for Barcelona this summer as "completely untrue".

Barca will be looking for a new manager at the end of the 2023-24 season after Xavi announced on Saturday that he would be stepping away from the role.

And Gunners fans were given a fright when reports in Spain linked Arteta with the post on Sunday evening.

But the 41-year-old insists the stories are "fake news".

He said: "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 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.

"It is fake news. I don't know where it is coming from. Totally untrue."

Arteta has guided Arsenal into the Premier League title race for the second consecutive season after they were pipped to the post by Manchester City in the 2022-23 campaign.

And the Spaniard is open to extending a contract that will currently see him stay in North London until the summer of 2025.

He said: "When the time is right we will have those [contract] discussions and find the best way to deal with it.

"There is a lot to do here and we all share that ambition.

"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."

Arsenal play Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Tuesday.