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Mikel Arteta ‘loves’ Paris but remains focused on Arsenal amid PSG links
Paul Macdonald
- Updated: 20 May 2021 11:26 BST
- 5 min read
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has refused to rule out taking over at Paris Saint-Germain one day, but insists he is fully focused on his work with the Gunners right now.
The Spaniard spent a year on loan at PSG from Barcelona almost 20 years ago, before going on to play for the likes of Rangers, Real Sociedad and Everton before ending his career at the Emirates Stadium in 2016.
He has been linked with the managerial jobs at both Barcelona and PSG in recent weeks, and although he refused to close the door on the latter, he says there is still unfinished business in his current post.
“I love Paris, I love Paris,” Arteta told BeIN Sports.” I have very good memories from over there. It was my first club as a professional. The club is always in my heart.
“You never know but I have a lot of work to do [here at Arsenal].”
How has Arteta performed at Arsenal?
Generally, he has done okay. This is his first job, having worked under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City after retirement.
His style and identity are clear to see when watching Arsenal, having learned from Guardiola and his former boss in North London, Arsene Wenger.
Having also won the FA Cup last season, he quickly got a huge monkey off his back. This year, the Europa League is his main priority.
But while the Gunners fell away from being regular Champions League challengers in the latter years under Wenger and then drifted with Unai Emery, Arteta is yet to pull the club out of midtable mediocrity.
After an eighth placed finish in the Premier League last season, Arsenal are currently ninth this term. Arteta is set to take charge of his 50th league game after the international break, but he is 12 points short of Emery’s total in that span.
Arsenal have become a tough club to manage in recent years, with money also proving an issue. Because they can’t compete in the transfer market, it is difficult to improve in the league table. But Arteta definitely needs to add more substance to the style next season.
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