Mikel Arteta is understood to be on Barcelona’s radar (Picture: Getty)
William Gallas has urged the Arsenal board to tie Mikel Arteta down to a new long-term contract amid speculation that Barcelona are circling with intent.
The Catalan giants are on the lookout for a new manager after club legend Xavi surprisingly confirmed his intention to step down in the summer in the wake of last Saturday’s shock defeat against Villarreal.
Arteta, speaking on Monday ahead of tonight’s game against Nottingham Forest,offered robust denial that he had any intention of leaving the Gunners in the summer.
Reports over the weekend claimed Arteta had already informed his superiors he was keen on returning to his boyhood club, but the 41-year-old is adamant that could not be further from the truth.
He said: ‘I don’t know where it’s coming from, it’s got no sources, it’s got nothing and I think we have to be very cautious when we talk about personal things, to put it in the way that it was put yesterday.
‘I’m in the right place. I’m with the right people, I feel really good about it and, as I said many times, I’m immersed in a beautiful journey with this football club, these players, this staff and our people and I’m investing still a lot for them.’
The Spaniard has just over 12 months remaining on his current contract and is widely expected to sign a new deal.
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Barcelona are on the lookout for a new manager after Xavi decided to stand down (Picture: Getty)
Arteta has presided over undoubted progress during his time at the helm and Gallas believes he is worthy of persisting with despite having secure just one major trophy in his four years in charge.
He told Genting Casino ‘I think that Mikel Arteta has earnt a new contract; I think he deserves to sign a new contract with the club. He has stabilised the club since he took over. Last season they finished second. This season, it looks like they will finish in the top three. I think they will go very far in the Champions League.
‘Based on what he has already achieved at the club, Arsenal can still look forward to working with him as a manager. He has turned the club into contenders for the biggest prizes in football. The club has made a lot of progress under his management, and they are close to lifting a major trophy.
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‘I think he deserves the opportunity to keep managing Arsenal. I think he deserves a new contract. When you look at Klopp at Liverpool, it took him four years to lift his first major trophy, which was the Champions League in 2019. Arteta can do the same at Arsenal, but when you’re a manager at a big club, you need to get results straight away.
‘Let’s not forget where Arsenal were when Mikel Arteta came into the club. Arsenal were a mess two or three years ago. They were not doing well. Arteta has transformed Arsenal’s form and all of a sudden, the club is respected not only in England but around the world again. Clubs respect Arsenal because they can see what they are doing in the Premier League and in the Champions League this season.
‘The club are back. They are back on track and, slowly, slowly, they are challenging for the biggest prizes again. Arteta has played a massive role in that transformation.’