Tite apologises to Arteta after reports link him with the Arsenal job

Brazil head coach Tite has rubbished reports he is being lined up to replace Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

The Gunners have made significant progress this season and are on track to secure Champions League qualification, with Arteta's side currently fourth in the Premier League.

However, reports originating in Brazil last week have claimed that Arsenal have made contact with Tite over the possibility of him replacing Arteta at the Emirates in 2023.

Globo journalist Erik Faria has claimed that Arsenal’s technical director, former Brazil international Edu, is keen to appoint Tite and that negotiations have already started.

Tite, who has been in charge of Brazil since 2016, has hit back at those claims and insists his only focus is on preparing his national side for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

“I am sad because information is broadcasted to the public and it is a lie,” he said.

“The information is a lie.

“And the people that I represent, that feel identified with me, rest assured that Tite has a personal moral conduct and values his professional conduct.

“I know the responsibility that bears at Brazil’s national team.

“Sorry, Arsenal. Sorry Arteta, this is not true, it didn’t come from us. There’s absolutely nothing.”

Five-time winners Brazil have already booked their place at the World Cup with two qualification games to spare.

They next Bolivia in La Paz on Wednesday and also still have to play rivals Argentina in a rescheduled match, after their qualifier in Sao Paulo was postponed in bizarre circumstances in September.

Brazilian health officials stormed the pitch and attempted to detain four then British-based Argentina players due to a reported breach of coronavirus regulations.

The match was subsequently abandoned and is yet to be rescheduled.