STATE OF THE ART
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reveals desire to return to Spain with return to Barcelona a possibility amid Xavi uncertainty
Barcelona's managerial situation threw yet another curveball
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MIKEL ARTETA has revealed his desire to manage in Spain, sparking fears he may leave this summer ahead of Arsenal's crunch final day title battle.
The Gunners have the chance to lift their first Premier League title in 20 years if they win against Everton and Manchester City fail to beat West Ham.
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Earlier this season, Arteta was outraged after reports in Spain suggested he was ready to QUIT the north London club and join Barcelona.
However, the 42-year-old has now triggered fresh concern over his future after admitting he wants to return to his homeland and manage in LaLiga.
Speaking before Sunday's season finale, Arteta said: "I have always thought that one day I will return.
"My home draws me a lot, our way of living, of getting together, the culture – and that means I always have it in my head.
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"But I am happy here [at Arsenal], happy with how they treat me, and I really enjoy my job.
"Someday I suppose it will come, I'm not going to be away for my whole life."
His comments come amid confusion over the future of Barcelona manager Xavi.
Xavi initially announced earlier this year that he would leave the club at the end of the season, before then agreeing to stay.
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However, fresh reports in Catalan press now suggest he will LEAVE, after comments on Real Madrid angered club president Joan Laporta.
Arteta joined Barcelona's famous La Masia academy at the age of 15.
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- Arsenal 1 - 0 Man City: Arsenal beat Manchester City at the Emirates in dramatic fashion early in the season to give them belief that they could compete for the title once again.
- Arsenal 5 - 0 Crystal Palace: The Gunners bounce back from a run of five games with only one victory by smashing the Eagles. The win kick-starts a spell of seven consecutive wins in which they scored 33 goals and conceded just four.
- Arsenal 3 - 1 Liverpool: A huge victory against a then title challenger in Liverpool pushed Arsenal within touching distance of the top of the table.
- Man City 0 - 0 Arsenal: A goalless draw meant things stayed the same in the title race and Arsenal were able to keep pace with their competitors.
- Spurs 2 - 3 Arsenal: Arsenal blew away their fiercest rival in the first half before digging in to prevent a second half comeback - the Gunners were a matter of games away from winning the league as a result.
He never managed to break into the first team but did play in Spain for one season with Real Sociedad.
While there he was sent on loan to Everton who then brought the midfielder permanently in 2005.
He remained with the Toffees until 2011 when he then joined Arsenal.
My home draws me a lot, our way of living, of getting together, the culture – and that means I always have it in my head.
Mikel Arteta
As a player he won two FA Cups and two Community Shield's with the Gunners before retiring in 2016 when he then joined Pep Guardiola's coaching staff at Man City.
In December 2019 he left City to become manager of Arsenal.
And he will be hoping to be ahead of his compatriot when the season finishes on Sunday.
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