Mikel Arteta has responded to links with Paris Saint-Germain by declaring he’s happy where he is, with a lot of work still to do at Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta was recently linked with interest from Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain, and he was asked about the rumours in a recent interview with Marca.
“I can only say that I am happy at Arsenal,” Arteta answered. “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.”
Marca reporter Juan Castro went on to ask Arteta about the potential for managing Barcelona or Real Madrid someday, if he found himself without a job at Arsenal.
“Spain is my country,” Arteta admitted. “I have been away for many years and at some point it could be an option to return to La Liga and have other experiences. But now…”
RMC Sport had broken the news that PSG’s Luis Campos was keen to bring Arteta to France as their new manager, and he spoke to the Arsenal boss in recent weeks.
But even at the time, RMC claimed that the chances of such a move were next to none.
For a start, Arteta is happy with the Arsenal project, and he has a contract until 2025. There was no suggestion he was interested in a move.
Then there’s the fact that Campos isn’t the final decision-maker this time around, after making the call to bring in Christophe Galtier last season.
That was far from the first link between Arsenal and PSG in the last few weeks, and it’s the latest of many that appear destined for failure.
In late May, there were suggestions that PSG had made enquiries for Martin Odegaard, but the same reports claimed the move looked doomed, with Odegaard key to Arteta’s plans and happy in London.
Then, in early June, a report from Brazil raised the possibility of a PSG move for Gabriel Magalhaes. But they added that Gabriel is excited to play in the Champions League with Arsenal, and he wants to stay at the Emirates Stadium.
After that, with reports breaking of William Saliba’s intention to sign a new contract at Arsenal, various sources claimed that PSG had been lurking for the centre-back if he’d decided to run his deal down.
From an Arsenal point of view, it’s great to see some loyalty to the club, even when their players and manager are so in-demand.