Mikel Arteta ‘has decided to QUIT Arsenal at the end of the season’ according to reports in Spain with Barcelona keen

ARSENAL have denied claims in Spanish press that Mikel Arteta has decided to QUIT at the end of the season.

That’s with Barcelona reportedly eyeing him as their new boss.

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Mikel Arteta has reportedly decided to leave Arsenal this summerCredit: Reuters

Xavi Hernandez stunned the Nou Camp on Saturday by declaring he will leave his beloved club this summer.

And, according to Catalan outlet Sport, La Masia graduate Arteta is in Barca’s sights after supposedly telling those close to him that he is set for a fresh start too.

The Spaniard’s Arsenal contract runs until 2025.

And the shock reports claimed Arteta is planning an early exit in June after allegedly informing staff around him to prepare for change.

However, Arsenal told SunSport these claims not to be true, with Arteta committed to managing the Gunners.

The former Arsenal captain took charge in north London in December 2019 after replacing Unai Emery.

Arteta’s since overseen 211 matches, winning 121 games in the process.

And last season he almost led Arsenal to their first title win since 2004’s Invincibles.

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Arteta’s swashbuckling style was well documented on Amazon’s All or Nothing TV series.

Alongside sporting director Edu, he has spent over £650million on new signings – including a club-record £105m fee for England star Declan Rice.

Arsenal are well in this season’s title race after winning 13 of their 21 games.

But leaders Liverpool, who will lose Jurgen Klopp this summer after his bombshell announcement on Friday, are five points clear, while champions Man City are level with a game in hand.

Aston Villa also have the same points as Arsenal.

And they could yet end up empty-handed like last term.

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