There is support for Mikel Arteta to leave Arsenal. (Photo by Ryan Pearce/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has the best chance of winning the Premier League as Arsenal manager, but it could be his last season at the club. His stock continues to rise, and he may soon find himself attracting attention from another of his former teams.
Arteta starred at La Masia in the early stages of his career and the former Arsenal and Barcelona player says a return to Catalonia could be on the cards for the 43-year-old.
Emmanuel Petit backs Mikel Arteta as Barcelona manager
According to Mundo Deportivo (via Football España), manager Emmanuel Petit has claimed that Arteta could take over as Barcelona manager next summer if Hansi Flick leaves the La Liga giants at the end of the season.
“He might be tempted to go back to Spain, especially the club where he played as a child. Honestly, with the job he’s doing, can you imagine if he could win anything at the end of the season? I’d probably say, ‘Okay, that’s fine.’ In my case, after almost seven years, I achieved that with Arsenal. I think it’s time to look for something else.”
“I understand. Well, Barcelona is one of the best clubs in the world. You’ll say, ‘I’m going back to Spain, the lifestyle is good for the family.’ You’ll say, ‘Okay, I’m going to Barcelona, but I have to change something, especially defensively.’ It’s very simple. In Spain we will probably fight for the title, but we will never fight for the Champions League.”
Should Mikel Arteta swap Arsenal for Barcelona?
Arteta, who is considering his transfer plans next January, may decide that he needs a new challenge after being at Arsenal for many years. However, even if he wins the Premier League this season, it is by no means certain that leaving is his desire as he still has things to achieve at the Emirates.
