Mikel Arteta is feeling extremely disappointed by the Barcelona links, as the Arsenal manager firmly rejects the reports, deeming them entirely fabricated information.

In a recent press conference, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta vehemently denied any rumors linking him to the vacant head coach position at Barcelona. Speculation began to swirl after Xavi announced his departure from the Spanish club at the end of the season. However, Arteta was quick to dismiss these reports, labeling them as “totally fake news.”

Expressing his frustration, Arteta stated, “I don’t know where it is coming from, it’s totally untrue and I’m very upset about it. I could not believe it. It has no sources. You have to be cautious when you write things in the way it was yesterday.”

The Arsenal boss emphasized his commitment to the club, saying, “I’m in the right place and I 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.”

When asked about his reaction to the rumors, Arteta explained, “One is a consequence of the other. First of all, I’m really cautious when I talk publicly about my personal things. When someone puts a statement about what we’ve done personally. Secondly, because I don’t think someone deserves to hear news like that. I’ve always said completely the opposite. That’s why I feel upset.”

While Arteta’s current contract with Arsenal runs until June 2025, discussions regarding a new deal have not yet taken place. However, the focus remains on the collective goal of taking the club to the next level. Arteta stated, “There is a lot to do here and we all share that ambition. You can feel it that 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.”

Reflecting on his time at Arsenal, Arteta acknowledged the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic but expressed his belief in the team’s ability to overcome them. He said, “We navigated some difficult moments through COVID and my belief is that created a really strong attachment and belief that we are the right people to take the club forward. We used it in the right way.”

As for contract negotiations, Arteta revealed that no discussions have taken place yet. He stated, “No we haven’t. This is something that will happen naturally when it happens, if it has to happen.”

In conclusion, Arteta’s focus remains firmly on Arsenal, and he is determined to lead the club to greater success in the future.