Mikel Arteta Dismisses PSG Speculation, but Suggests Interest in La Liga Move in the Future

Mikel Arteta has put an end to speculation surrounding his future, refuting reports that he has held discussions with Paris Saint-Germain to become their next manager.

The Spanish coach has garnered praise for his impressive work in revitalizing Arsenal, leading them to a second-place finish in the Premier League this season with stylish football.

Earlier this month, surprising news emerged that Arteta had engaged in talks with PSG's sporting director, Luis Campos, as the French glamour club searched for a replacement for Christophe Galtier. In April, it became known that PSG was among the admirers of Arteta, monitoring his situation as Arsenal temporarily put contract negotiations on hold to focus on the title race. Arteta's current contract at the Emirates runs until 2025.

However, the 41-year-old, who spent two seasons as a player at PSG in the early 2000s, told Marca that he is content at Arsenal. He stated, "I can only say that I am happy at Arsenal. I feel loved, valued by our owners, Stan and Josh [Kroenke], and I have a lot to do here at this club. I am happy and tremendously grateful to be at Arsenal."

Arteta shares a special bond with Arsenal and its fans, having spent five seasons at the club as a player before returning as the manager in 2019 after serving as Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City. In his debut season as head coach, he secured the FA Cup, and last season he ensured the return of Champions League football to the revered Emirates Stadium after a six-year absence.

While ruling out an immediate move, Arteta did not dismiss the possibility of returning to his homeland, Spain, in the future. He expressed, "Spain is my country. I have been away for many years, and at some point, it could be an option to return to La Liga and have different experiences. But not now..."

Arteta still follows La Liga matches whenever possible, particularly those played at night, which suits his schedule better. He mentioned that his children also watch a lot of football on TV.

When discussing his admiration for current Barcelona manager Xavi, Arteta revealed their shared history, stating, "I have known him since we played together at Barca. His character and his deep understanding of the game made it evident that Barcelona needed someone like him. He has handled the pressure and remained loyal to his ideas, always defending the club and the players. The team has been consistently reliable throughout the year."

Both Arteta and Xavi were part of Barcelona B's squad during the 1999-2000 season. However, while Xavi broke into the first team, Arteta struggled to secure opportunities for himself and eventually moved to Paris.