Mikel Arteta took over at Arsenal in December 2019, after working as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City for over three years.
The Gunners have struggled to qualify for the Champions League under the Spaniard’s orders, but the situation has improved this season.
Arsenal are currently leading the table with 31 points from 12 matches, two points ahead of the English champions.
A ‘confidential’ report from today’s Sport states Barcelona are looking at the north London club’s manager.
Xavi Hernández is currently in charge at the Camp Nou and remains the Blaugrana’s clear bet. Meanwhile, Arteta’s work at the Emirates is attracting attention from the Catalan club.
The 40-year-old spent time at Barcelona’s academy as a player, so he knows the club and their philosophy well. Arteta has also worked with former Barca manager, Guardiola, at City. This, coupled with his man management seems to have impressed the Spanish giants.
Sport state ‘there is no doubt that he meets all the conditions’ to become a ‘firm candidate’ for the La Liga side in the future.
In addition to this, the Arsenal coach’s relationship with Barca leaders Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff is ‘very close’. These conditions would make him a potential option for Barca in the future.
Sport end their report by stating: ‘Arteta is fine where he is and he is not going to move from there and the plan is for Xavi to be at Barça for many years, but the club has his name well marked for the future.’
