Panic for Arsenal fans as Xavi quits Barcelona or could Jurgen Klopp make swift return to rival club legends?

Arsenal fans may be suffering from a spate of Leverkusen syndrome after Xavi’s Barcelona bombshell.

The Catalan club legend stunned the world of football by opening his press conference following a 5-3 defeat to Villarreal by announcing he’ll leave on June 30.

The 44-year-old former midfield maestro had earlier said he would quit if the season ended trophyless, and it now appears their only route to silverware is via the Champions League.

The result leaves Barca ten points behind LaLiga leaders Real Madrid, having already exited the Copa del Rey and lost the Supercopa de Espana to Real earlier in January.

Like Jurgen Klopp the day before him, Xavi’s declaration will worry many supporters of rival teams whose managers may be distracted by one of the biggest jobs in world football.

Bayer Leverkusen fans are already panicking about Xabi Alonso heading to Liverpool, and now the Gunners faithful may be having the same fears about Mikel Arteta.

Luckily for them, though, the hot-seat in Catalunya is likely to be open to far more runners and riders, even if Arteta started his career there…

An exclusive from Cadena SER midweek was widely picked up in after the outlet claimed Thiago Motta is top of Joan Laporta’s list to replace Xavi.

A former teammate of the departing coach at Camp Nou, Motta was also a midfield diamond who won numerous trophies as a player, including the Champions League once with Barca, and again under Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.

Long earmarked as a future coach due to his command of the pitch, Motta is now certainly living up to expectations at Bologna.

Surprisingly competing for the Champions League places with a daring brand of football, the 41-year-old has made a name for himself as someone who isn’t afraid to do