Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he is "fully focused" on managing the club and "extremely happy" at the Emirates after reportedly emerging as a potential managerial target for Barcelona.
The Spanish club will hold its presidential elections on Sunday and candidate Joan Laporta, who is the favourite to be elected for a second stint at the Nou Camp, has reportedly identified Arteta as a potential replacement for current Barca boss Ronald Koeman.
Arteta was a product of Barcelona's academy but left in 2002 without making an appearance for the club.
The 38-year-old also honed his coaching methods at Manchester City under former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, whom Laporta appointed in 2008.
But Arteta dismissed Catalan radio reports he could take charge of the Spanish giants.
He said: "There is always going to be speculation when there are elections in Barcelona.
"It's a huge team and obviously I was raised there as a player, and they're always going to be linked.
"But I'm fully focused on the job that I have to do here, which we have a lot to do and I'm really enjoying it.
"I feel privileged to manage this football club and I'm extremely happy."
Asked whether he could manage Barcelona one day in the future, he responded: "Today and tomorrow I am the manager of Arsenal Football Club and I'm really enjoying it and I want to do much better than what we've done."
Arteta, who won the FA Cup at the end of his first season in charge, was appointed Arsenal boss in December 2019 and will have two years left on his current deal at the end of this campaign.
Asked whether new contract negotiations have begun with the club, he replied: "No. We are in the middle of the season, we have a lot to play for and at the moment it's not a priority.
"I still have my contract here and I'm happy here, and I don't think it's something urgent."
AhmedBarade2019
562
some people think negatively, this man is doing his great job he come to this team in a bad situation please let support him he have the DNA stay blessed coach
Mangisha
315
Arteta don't worry, no one at Barca needs you as coach. It's just media speculation. We would rather have go without a coach than have you ,with all due respect. Just focus trying to qualify Arsenal for Europa league. Thank you.
SawHotz
204
First of all why start cussing Arteta in the comments when you literally know that he didn't say this on purpose. It was just a question that he was asked, do you expect him to say, "Yes, managing Barcelona is my dream, I will manage them next season.?" And second thing, let me tell you that at this point, being the coach of Arsenal is FAR BETTER than being the coach of a club who doesn't even have a proper hierarchy and is LITERALLY about to go bankrupt because of the salary and bonuses of one player. Y'all have a lot to worry about your club than to talk negative about the manager of another club. Whoever coined the name "Barka dogs" should be given a statue. What an accurate way to describe these Barça fans.