Arteta wants to build legacy at Arsenal labelling ties to Barca as 'fake news'

Mikel Arteta wants to build a legacy at Arsenal amid genuine interest from Barcelona.

The Gunners head coach slammed what he described as ‘totally fake news’ from Spain on Sunday night that Arteta has already told his backroom staff he could replace Xavi, who is stepping down as Barcelona manager this summer.

However, Barcelona’s interest in Arteta is real, although there is a confidence at Arsenal that their head coach would not be tempted by a move to Catalonia at the moment.

The Spaniard has just 18 months left on his contract at the Emirates but all parties are relaxed about the situation amid an understanding that the 41-year-old will extend his deal at the Emirates.

There was legitimate bewilderment over the reports from Arteta on Sunday night. Privately he is fully committed to bringing major trophies to Arsenal, a stance he reiterated publicly on Monday.

In contrast to conditions at Arsenal, Barcelona are currently in a state of transition on the pitch and are operating within a tight financial framework.

And ahead of their match against Nottingham Forest today, a visibly irritated Arteta, when asked about the Spanish reports, said: ‘That’s totally fake news. I don’t know where it is coming from and it is totally untrue. I am really upset about it.

‘I could not believe it. It has no source. It has got nothing and I think we have to be very cautious when you talk about personal things.

‘I am really cautious when I talk publicly about my personal things and when someone puts a statement saying something I said or did, it is upsetting.’

He went on to reaffirm his commitment to the Gunners, a club he has spent nine years in total as a player and then manager.

‘I am in the right place,’ he said. ‘I am with the right people. I feel really good about it. And, as I said many times, I am invested in a beautiful journey with this football club, with these players, these staff, our people, and there is still a lot, a lot to do.

‘We all share that ambition and you can feel it as well, that we want more, that we aren’t satisfied and that the club wants to take another push and another level in everything we are doing — this is where we are. We need everyone on board to achieve it and I am certainly on board.’

On contract talks, he added: ‘I have got a strong relationship with the board, with Edu, with Tim (Lewis), with the ownership and things come in a natural way.

‘We have always done that way and it worked out really well. And when the time is right we will have those discussions and think about the best way to do it.’

The Spaniard heaped praise on Jurgen Klopp following his decision to leave Liverpool this summer. Klopp had shocked the footballing world with his announcement on Friday.

Arteta said: ‘I think he’s made this league much better. First of all the person. The character, the charisma, the ideas and his passion for the game is something special. I think he’s had a big contribution for the growth of this league.

‘Then I love the way he did it. When you see the emotion that he put in and you see that human side, explaining the reasons behind his decision and the challenges and everything that is related to our job, I think he was spot on.

‘When someone has done what he’s done for that football club and the league, you have to respect that and basically say, “Thank you”. He made every manager better.

‘Sometimes you feel like you don’t have it any more. Sometimes that can happen when you’re a player, a manager or you’re in any job, you have to be very cautious managing that energy and that time and how much you invest.

‘It is extremely demanding. I love it and I am young and have a lot of energy but I understand that after a lot of years — I think with Jurgen it was 24 years doing different jobs in different countries — it is something that naturally happens.’

Arteta said Thomas Partey will not be in the squad today, but is hopeful Declan Rice will be fit.

Rice came off early in the 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace and has since been assessed.