29 January 2024 , 08:00
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Mikel Arteta has previously been dismissive of talk that he could replace Xavi Hernandez at Barcelona amid fresh reports linking him with his former club.
The Spaniard, 41, started his career at the Nou Camp and has gone on to forge a reputation as one of Europe's most exciting young coaches in the Premier League with Arsenal.
Arteta has been in situ at the Emirates for just over five years and came agonisingly close to guiding the Gunners to their first domestic league title since 2004 last year before eventually succumbing to Manchester City in the final weeks of the season.
His fine body of work at Arsenal, coupled with his links to Barcelona, has seen him linked with the Spanish giants on more than one occasion in recent years. And fresh suggestions Arteta could return to Catalonia have now been fuelled by Xavi announcing his intention to stand down from his role at the end of the current campaign.
Arteta did previously play down links to Barca when Xavi was under pressure back in November 2022, though, saying: "What I can say is that I am extremely happy and proud to be where I am.
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"Barcelona, now, they are in a really good path now, with a phenomenal coach, a coach that has been an absolute legend in that club and has lifted the whole place. You have to be very respectful of that."
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Xavi has confirmed he will be leaving Barcelona in the summer (Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Xavi, who guided Barcelona to the La Liga title last season, confirmed after Saturday's loss against Villarreal that he would be leaving the club in the summer.
He said: “I will leave Barcelona in June. We have reached a point of no return. It's time for change. As a Culé, I think that it's time to leave. I spoke with the board and the club today. I will leave on the 30th of June”.
He went on to add: “Everything will be calmer now, we can compete for the Champions League… at least with this decision you [the press] won’t kill me anymore. The club will improve with this decision”.