Mikel Arteta to Barcelona odds slashed as major Arsenal summer fear emerges

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta's odds to become the new boss at FC Barcelona have been slashed despite the Spaniard distancing himself from the role at the Nou Camp.

The Spanish giants will welcome a new head coach to the club in the summer when Xavi Hernandez departs. The former Barcelona midfielder replaced Ronald Koeman in November 2021 and announced in January that he will leave at the end of his contract.

Barcelona have failed to replicate last season's La Liga title win and are currently eight points behind league leaders Real Madrid. Xavi's decision to depart at the end of the season has left club chiefs scrambling for a suitable successor.

Unfortunately for them, it comes at a time when a handful of top clubs are on the hunt for a new head coach. Liverpool and Bayern Munich will both appoint new bosses, as will potential Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen if Xabi Alonso departs.

Arteta has constantly been a name linked with a move to Barcelona. And despite the Gunners boss slamming the suggestion as «fake news», the 41-year-old has seen his odds cut to move to the La Liga side.

According to bet365, Arteta is now 3/1 to become the next Barcelona manager. The bookmakers back Hansi Flick as the favourite to take the job, but Arteta is shortly behind him — with his previous 7/1 odds placing him fourth favourite.

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bet365's Steve Freeth said: “Mikel Arteta has already distanced himself from the impending vacancy and he has a lot on his plate in trying to guide Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 20 years, but every bet we've taken on the