Arsenal boss Arteta lifts lid on PSG links

Stuart Telford

• 25 Jun 2023 18:00 BST
• 3 min read

Mikel Arteta was linked the Paris Saint-Germain job after coming so close to lifting the Premier League title with Arsenal last season, but he insists he is happy where he is.

Arteta's Arsenal led the Premier League table for 248 days in 2022/23 before being pipped at the post by Manchester City, his former employers who ended up finishing five points clear.

The former Gunners midfielder reportedly attracted the attention of two more of his former clubs in Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain as the season wore on, and the latter of those are soon to part ways with head coach Christophe Galtier having only finished a point clear of Lens in Ligue 1.

READ: Havertz, Rice and Timber: Is Arteta trying to rip off Guardiola?

PSG are now nearing the appointment of former Spain manager Luis Enrique, but Arteta insists that he had no intention of leaving the Emirates anyway.

Arteta: 'I'm happy at Arsenal'

"I can only say that I'm happy at Arsenal," he told The Guardian. "I feel loved, valued by our owners, Stan and Josh [Kroenke], and I have a lot to do here at this club. I'm happy and tremendously grateful to be at Arsenal."

The Kroenkes have backed Arteta so far this summer, with Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber each expected to join from Chelsea, West Ham and Ajax respectively for a total transfer outlay in the region of €200 million.

READ: EXCLUSIVE: Declan Rice still set to join Arsenal despite Man City interest

Havertz could be forgiven for growing frustrated that none of those deals are over the line quite yet, but he is temperate about his side's transfer pursuits.

"Talent has a price and, at Arsenal, we're always interested in young players with experience," he said.

"I repeat, I'm not talking about players from other clubs, but, in the case of Kai, he's already shown a lot, including a Champions League. He's a talented, versatile player and he's only 24 years old."