Chris Sutton thinks ‘really upset’ Arsenal man is secretly loving what’s just happened

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Chris Sutton has claimed Mikel Arteta is secretly enjoying speculation with FC Barcelona despite the Arsenal manager’s recent comments.

The former Manchester City coach has this week been strongly linked with a move to Catalonia following Sunday’s announcement from Xavi Hernandez that he’ll be leaving Barcelona in the summer.

Almost immediately, Spanish media jumped on the train linking Arteta to the job, with the Arsenal manager coming out yesterday in a press conference saying he was ‘really upset’ with the rumours.

However, speaking on the Monday Night Club, Sutton has now put forward the theory that Arteta is secretly loving these new links to Barcelona, a club the Arsenal manager could one day end up at.

“I don’t think it’s any big deal. There’s too much been made of it. He has been linked with it, naturally, he can just say no I am staying at Arsenal and just focusing on Arsenal.

“It’s not going to derail him. He’ll be flattered really. He’ll love it inside. Eventually, he’ll probably end up at Barcelona. He only has 18 months left on his contract which is a really interesting thing I think.”

Mikel Arteta is likely against leaving Arsenal for Barcelona

Arteta has shown over the years on Arsenal’s touchline that he is a passionate manager, with the former Emirates Stadium captain wearing his heart on his sleeve.

And whilst the Basque coach could feel slightly giddy about being linked with the Barcelona job, the reality is that Arteta likely wants to stay at Arsenal for a few more years before moving on.

As we know, the former City coach has made it is his goal to bring the Premier League title back to north London, a quest Arteta came close to last season.

And although being linked with Barcelona is flattering, Arteta’s comments this week prove that the 41-year-old is happy at Arsenal and wants to continue his work.