Arteta labels Arsenal exit rumours as 'FAKE NEWS' amid Barcelona interest

Cameron Smith

• 29 Jan 2024 14:21 GMT
• 3 min read

Mikel Arteta has stated that recent reports linking him with an Arsenal exit are “fake news” after it was speculated that he will leave the Emirates Stadium this summer.

The Spanish manager is a rumoured target for Barcelona after Xavi announced he will be stepping down at the end of the current season.

SPORT then reported that Arteta could leave Arsenal in order to replace Xavi at Camp Nou.

FootballTransfers understand that such reports are wide of the mark, and Arteta confirmed this during his press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.

“No. That’s totally fake news,” the Gunners boss said when asked about reports linking him with the Barcelona job.

“What I read yesterday I don’t know where it’s coming from and it’s got no source. I’m really upset about it.

“I could not believe it. I don’t know where it’s coming from. I think we have to be very careful when you talk about personal things especially. I’m in the right place.”

Arteta was subsequently questioned why he was angered by rumours that he will leave Arsenal this summer. “One is a consequence of the other,” he replied. “First of all I’m really cautious when I talk publicly about my personal things.

“When someone puts a statement about what we’ve done personally. Secondly because I don’t think someone deserves to hear news like that. I’ve always said completely the opposite. That’s why I feel upset.”

Bayern deny Thomas Tuchel to Barcelona rumours

Arteta wasn’t the only top level coach linked with the Barcelona job during the weekend either, with Bayern Munich’s Thomas Tuchel also touted for the role after revealing his admiration for La Liga.

However, the Bundesliga giants have released a public statement to deny any rumours of Tuchel moving to Camp Nou.

Bayern’s CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and sporting director Christoph Freund wrote on the club’s website: “Our head coach Thomas Tuchel was asked by supporters on Sunday as part of a fan club visit about his coaching career and his previous experiences abroad at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, and naturally provided information about this during the discussion.

“He also answered general questions from fans about Spain as a footballing country. He never spoke about Xavi Hernández and his successor, as was falsely claimed afterwards.

“We will no longer accept such non-factual statements directed against our coach, which always come from the same source.”