Fake news – Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ‘really upset’ over Barcelona links

Mikel Arteta insists he is in the “right place” as the Arsenal manager revealed he was left upset by rumours he had told colleagues he was set to quit for Barcelona.

Reports began circulating in Spain on Sunday evening that Arteta had let it slip he was going to leave the Emirates Stadium in the summer and take over at his formative club.

Current Barca boss Xavi announced on Saturday he would step down in the summer after a string of disappointing results – leading to Arteta being installed as one of the favourites to replace him.

Having come through the fabled academy at Barcelona, Arteta has a long-standing connection to the Nou Camp, but the 41-year-old is keen to stay put as he aims to lead Arsenal to glory.

“I am in the right place. I am with the right people,” he said.

“I feel really good about it. And, as I said many times, I am invested in a beautiful journey with this football club, with these players, these staff, our people.

“There is still a lot to do here. We all share that ambition, and you can feel it as well, that we want more, that we aren’t satisfied and that the club wants to take another push and another level in everything we are doing.

“This is where we are. We need everyone on board to achieve it, and I am certainly on board.”

Arteta, who takes his side to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Tuesday, said the reports were completely fabricated.

“That’s totally fake news,” he added.

“What you read yesterday is… I don’t know where it is coming from and it is totally untrue. I am really upset about it.

“I could not believe it. I don’t know where it is coming from and it has no source. It has got nothing and I think we have to be very cautious when you talk about personal things, to put it