Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reiterated that he is happy at the London-based club while responding to recent speculation linking him with a move to PSG.
The 41-year-old has been in charge of Arsenal since December 2019, and he led the club to a second-placed finish in the 2022-23 Premier League table. The Gunners led the table for 248 days before being overtaken by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side.
Following the departure of Christophe Galtier, PSG are in search of a new manager. Several names, including Jose Mourinho and Julian Nagelsmann, have been linked to the position, with Arteta also reportedly considered a candidate. Arteta had previously played for PSG during a loan spell from Barcelona between 2000 and 2002, making a potential return to Paris an intriguing prospect.
Reacting to claims of alleged interest from PSG, Mikel Arteta told Spanish outlet Marca;
“I can only say that I am happy at Arsenal. 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.”
While Arteta appeared to rule out an immediate move to PSG, he hinted that a return to his home country of Spain could be a possibility in the future.
He said;
“Spain is my country. I have been away for many years and at some point, it could be an option to return to the league and have other experiences. But not now.”
Arteta also said that he is pleased to have helped Arsenal ‘regain their soul’ following a difficult period in the club’s history.
He added;
“It started three years ago. I was Pep [Guardiola]’s assistant at [Manchester] City, we were playing Arsenal and I could see that the soul of the club had been lost.
“There was no enjoyment, no feeling. I knew there was the option of, soon after, being in the other dugout and I knew that this club is so big that we had to connect the team with the fans.
“It has been hard to do and undo… but now I feel happy. We have a clear identity, there is unity and we are full of energy. That’s the greatest thing. From top to bottom, everyone is pushing in the same direction. We give the fans something to dream about and be proud of. And now, we have to win more.”