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Mikel Arteta "Really Upset" by "Fake News" About Him Considering Arsenal Resignation

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said that a report claiming that he is considering leaving the club is "totally fake news".

The 41-year-old is said to be a leading candidate to replace Xavi Hernandez at Barcelona.

Xavi announced on Saturday night that he will stand down from his role with Barca on June 30.

It was later claimed by Spanish newspaper Sport that Arteta had recently told club chiefs at Arsenal that he was considering resigning at the end of the season.

However, when asked about this story on Monday, Arteta replied: "Who, me? No, that's totally fake news.

"What you read yesterday, I don't know where it's coming from. It's totally untrue and I'm really upset about it.

"I could not believe it. I don't know where it's coming from, it's got no sources, it's got nothing and I think we have to be very cautious when we talk about personal things, to put it in the way that it was put yesterday."

Mikel Arteta pictured speaking at an Arsenal press conference in January 2024

Mikel Arteta spoke to the media at an Arsenal press conference on Monday

Arteta has been in charge of Arsenal since December 2019.

He is currently under contract with the Gunners until June 2025 but he hinted on Monday that he could soon sign an extension.

"I'm in the right place," he added. "I'm with the right people, I feel really good about it and, as I said many times, I'm immersed in a beautiful journey with this football club, these players, this staff and our people and I'm investing still a lot for them.

"I've got a strong relationship with the board, with Edu, the team, with ownership. Things come in a natural way and we've always done it that way and it's been done really well.

"When the time is right we'll have those [contract] discussions and I'll think about the best way to do that."

Arteta was speaking to the media on the eve of Arsenal's Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.

The Gunners have lost each of their last three away matches against Forest, including a 1-0 defeat at the City Ground last season.