Xabi Alonso says he doesn’t have any offers and his plan is to remain with Real Sociedad B, despite links to Arsenal as part of a Mikel Arteta coaching team.

With Mikel Arteta seemingly edging closer to the head coach job at the Emirates Stadium, one rumour circulating suggested he might call on close friend Xabi Alonso to join him as an assistant.

Alonso retired from his playing career in 2017, spending the next year doing a UEFA Elite coaching course and coaching the Real Madrid u14s. The former midfielder then took a job as manager of Real Sociedad B this summer.

Speaking to the press in Spain, Alonso insists that’s where his focus lies.

“I’m at ease here, my head is only here,” Alonso said. “I have no other thoughts. No proposal has come to me and I am where I want to be. I’m very happy.

“Things are going well. I’m just starting, I’m enjoying it and it’s serving me well. When the club and I decided to work here, everything made sense. Over time you reaffirm that it was a good decision.”

Arteta is the clear favourite to take over at Arsenal as the permanent head coach right now.

Earlier today, Arseblog reported the Gunners have a full agreement with their former player over the job. The final detail is sorting out compensation with Manchester City. After that, the club should make an official announcement.

It’s a shame he won’t bring Alonso with him, but you’d expect an experienced coaching team to help Arteta transition into senior club management.