sports24.com
After being linked with the Barcelona job earlier this week, Mikel Arteta maintains he is entirely concentrated on doing “much better” at Arsenal.
At the start of the week, reports in Spain said that presidential candidate Joan Laporta was considering a move for Arsenal boss Arteta if he won the race to return to Barca.
Laporta named Pep Guardiola as the head coach during his previous tenure in the role, ushering in a period of great success.
Arteta went on to work at Manchester City under Guardiola before taking over as Arsenal boss in December 2019.
After graduating from Barca’s renowned La Masia academy, Arteta is said to be on Laporta’s managerial shortlist if he is elected on March 7, though sources close to the campaign have reportedly ruled out a move for the 38-year-old.
When asked about being linked to the position, which is currently held by Ronald Koeman, Arteta said, “There will always be speculation when there are elections in Barcelona, it’s a big team. I grew up there as a player, and there will always be ties. But I’m completely focused on the work at hand, which we have a lot of, and I’m having a great time doing it.
What I can tell you is that I consider myself fortunate to be in charge of this football club and that I am extremely happy.”
