Mikel Arteta is apparently being lined up by Real Madrid to take over from Carlo Ancelotti and the Arsenal manager was asked about that during his pre-Sporting press conference on Wednesday evening.

With Mikel Arteta doing so well at Arsenal, it was inevitable that we would see him linked with other jobs. In fact, it has already happened with his former club, Barcelona, being linked some time ago.

Now, it is the turn of their La Liga rivals, Real Madrid.

At his Europa League press conference, one journalist asked about the rumours that Real Madrid were lining him up to be their next manager, although how they can ‘line’ anything up without Arteta’s approval, is anyone’s guess.

Regardless, Arteta gave the rumour little consideration.

“It is things that obviously managers or players cannot control what is written, what I can tell you this I’m fully focused on what I’m doing here and extremely happy, proud and grateful to be in his football club and that’s it,” Arteta replied before they moved on to another topic.