Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has slammed reports linking him with the soon-to-be-vacant position at Barcelona.
On Saturday evening, Xavi made the surprise announcement that he would be relinguishing his role in the dugout at the end of the season.
The club legend insists that he remains committed to seeing out the remainder of the current campaign as he attempts to keep Barcelona in the top four of La Liga and win the Champions League.
Nevertheless, speculation has already begun regarding his successor with a number of names having already been associated with the position at Camp Nou.
A report over the weekend in Spain indicated that Arteta was strongly contemplating leaving the Emirates Stadium in order to return to one of his former clubs.
Soon after those claims, separate reports emerged claiming that they were false and that the Spaniard was committed to continuing his project in North London.
Arteta was able to address the rumours himself on Monday afternoon as he spoke to the media ahead of Tuesday’s Premier League fixture at Nottingham Forest.
The report in his homeland was described as “totally fake news”, Arteta reaffirming his stance of wanting to remain at Arsenal in the long term.
He said: “That is totally fake news. What you read, I’m really upset about it. I couldn’t believe it. It has no sources. I’m in the right place with the right people and feel really good about it.
“I’m embracing a beautiful journey with this club and there’s still a lot to do. I have a strong relationship with the board.
“Things come in a natural way. When the time is right we will have those [contract] discussions and find the best way to deal with it.”
Arteta’s current contract is due to expire in 2025, the expectation being that discussions over a renewal may be held sooner rather than later.
Arsenal make the trip to the City Ground with the opportunity to move within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, who host Chelsea a day later.