Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted that he is "extremely happy" in North London amid links with the Barcelona job.
Reports from Spain had claimed that La Blaugrana have identified the 40-year-old as an ideal candidate to take control of the reins upon Xavi's departure in the future.
Xavi is not expected to leave Camp Nou for at least a few seasons yet, but it has been reported that Barcelona view Arteta as a potential successor in several years to come.
The Spaniard has led Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table with 31 points from 12 games this term after winning the FA Cup and Community Shield in his first half-season in charge.
Arteta was rewarded for his efforts with a new contract until 2025 back in May, and he affirmed that he has no plans to leave Arsenal during his pre-game press conference before Thursday's Europa League tie with FC Zurich.
© Reuters
The former midfielder was also full of praise for Xavi, claiming that his compatriot is doing a "phenomenal" job at Camp Nou, saying: "What I can say is that I'm extremely happy and proud to be where I am.
"Barcelona now are on a really good path. I think they have a phenomenal coach who is an absolute legend at the club and has lived the whole place. You have to be very respectful of that."
Arteta has not managed to finish higher than fifth with Arsenal during his time as head coach, placing eighth in 2019-20 and 2020-21 before missing out on Champions League qualification last term.
However, the ex-Everton man has posted a respectable record of 87 wins, 21 draws and 39 defeats from 147 games in charge of Arsenal, who round off Europa League Group A against Zurich tonight.
Following a 2-0 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Arsenal need to match or better the Eredivisie giants' result to finish top of the group and qualify for the last 16.
© Reuters
Arsenal sit two points clear of PSV, and victory would guarantee them a place in the last 16, but any other result would open the door for Ruud van Nistelrooy's side to usurp them and potentially hand the Gunners a playoff tie versus one of the third-placed Champions League teams.
Chelsea are lying in wait for the Gunners at the weekend, but Arteta will not shy away from picking a strong team on Thursday night, saying: "I don't approach games thinking that after half an hour or 45 minutes we will get the result that we want.
Certainly I will have a really competitive team out there. We missed the chance in Holland last week and Thursday is the last opportunity to achieve our goal."
Arsenal have been handed a double injury boost ahead of the contest with the Swiss champions, as Bukayo Saka and Oleksandr Zinchenko were both involved in training on Wednesday, with the former coming off against Nottingham Forest with a knock to the foot.
Mohamed Elneny is also back in full training after a rapid recovery from a hamstring injury, leaving Matt Turner and Emile Smith Rowe on the sidelines with their respective groin problems.
Ben Knapton
