Paul Merson announces "the game has changed" after Arteta to Barcelona rumours

30 January 2024 , 18:05

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Mikel Arteta has responded to rumours linking him with the Barcelona job (Image: Getty Images)

Paul Merson has claimed that Arsenal are now a "bigger draw" than Barcelona, days after Gunners manager Mikel Arteta was linked with a switch to the Camp Nou.

Current Barcelona boss Xavi has announced he'll be leaving his post come the end of the current campaign, which means the Spanish giants now have a search on their hands to try and find a worthy successor. One name that soon emerged was Arteta, given his ties to the club as a former academy talent as well as his impressive work in north London.

However, Merson has made his stance on the speculation clear, questioning why anyone would leave Arsenal to join Barcelona with the two clubs in their current respective states. Though the Blaugrana are reigning La Liga champions, a precarious financial situation and the fact they now sit fourth means that whoever does succeed Xavi is likely to have their work cut out.

Arteta has since addressed the situation and insisted he is going nowhere, which has in turn prompted an eye-opening response from Gunners legend Merson. The 55-year-old told Sky Sports: "Mikel Arteta has said he is not happy with reports claiming he will leave this summer to replace Xavi at Barcelona and has denied it.

"You have to go with his word. The game has changed now, Arsenal is a bigger draw than Barcelona in my opinion. Five, 10, 15 years ago, you ask any footballer or manager in the world and they all wanted to play for or manage Real Madrid or Barcelona. That was the pinnacle of your football career."

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Merson continued, laying into Barcelona and quashing any talk suggesting they could still win the title this term. He also discredited the Catalonian club's status as a current European force, implying that there's no danger of them winning the Champions League any time soon.

He did go on to add how there was once a time where Arteta's head may have been turned by Barcelona's interest, but that the landscape currently is drastically different. Merson claimed: Five, six, seven years ago I may have said, 'I do not see anything but Arteta leaving', although I could be wrong, but I do not see how they are a bigger draw than Arsenal today.

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Paul Merson has claimed Arsenal are a "bigger draw" than Barcelona (SkySports)

"I do not see how they are a step forward, then there are their finances and you would rather work with Arsenal's squad of players than Barcelona's right now."

Arteta was emphatic in his response to the rumours touting him with the Emirates exit. The Spaniard told reporters: “It’s totally untrue and I’m really upset about it.

"I’m in the right place with the right people. I’m immersed in a beautiful journey with this football club, the staff and the players and there is still a lot to do.

"I love what I do, I love every minute and I get a lot of joy. It drives you when you feel respected, loved, when you see a clear direction and ambition. That is where we are right now."

Josh O'Brien