I've seen what Mikel Arteta is capable of at Arsenal - why throw it all away for Barcelona?

The news that Jurgen Klopp and Xavi Hernandez will be leaving both Liverpool and Barcelona come the end of the season has sparked plenty of discussion about the managerial merry-go-round which will unfold in the coming months. Arsenal have not escaped being a potential victim of the discussion with Mikel Arteta’s links to the Blaugrana in combination with suggestions they are also keen on the Gunners' manager.

Fuelling this further is words from the Spaniard himself, who interviewed with Marca during the summer. Arteta was asked about the prospect of managing in Spain and was very open to the suggestion.

«Spain is my country,» he said when asked. «I've been away for many years and at some point it could be an option to return to La Liga and have other experiences.»

He was asked also about Xavi himself. As expected, he was very complimentary about his former teammate then, but would perhaps be somewhat surprised at his choice – Arteta faces the press on Monday ahead of Nottingham Forest in which he is sure to be asked about the double managerial exit decisions.

«I've known him since we played together at Barca,» he said. «Just knowing his character and how he feels about the game, it was clear to me that Barca needed a figure like him.

»He has been able to withstand the pressure and has been true to his ideas, always defending the club and the players. The team has been very reliable all year."

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Arsenal and Barcelona are perhaps in two very similar situations with the latter progressing slightly further following their La Liga title win last