Arsenal boss Arteta brushes off speculation he will replace Xavi at Barcelona

MIKEL ARTETA has rubbished talk that suggested he might sensationally quit Arsenal and replace Xavi Hernandez at Barcelona.

Pressure has been mounting on the head of Xavi following another exit during the group stages of the Champions League.

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And reports earlier this week suggested he may even be sacked by the club and replaced by Arteta.

However, Arteta has come out to rubbish those rumours.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s clash with FC Zurich, Arteta said: “No (I don’t make anything of it). What I can say is I’m extremely happy and proud to be where I am.

“I think Barcelona are in a really good path and (have) a phenomenal coach that has been an absolute legend in that club and has lifted the whole place and you have to be respectful of that.”

Arteta has shocked pre-season predictions and has guided Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table.

The Gunners have a two-point gap to champions Manchester City, having only lost one game so far this season.

They have recruited well two summers in a row to help the Spaniard enact his tactical philosophy after the rebuild project he undertook when the team were in eighth.

And despite the disappointment of missing out on Champions League football for this season following their late collapse last year, the atmosphere around the Emirates is buzzing.

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In Barcelona’s case, a massive war chest leveraged against future revenue was given to Xavi in the hopes of returning the club to its heights of old.

But a pair of poor results against Inter Milan in their Champions League group left meant they were knocked out at the group stage for the second time in a row.

However, in La Liga they are just one point behind leaders Real Madrid.

They will also have a chance to salvage their European season with a run in the Europa League – which may lead them to a round of 32 tie against Manchester United.