Barcelona reportedly interested in Arsenal's Mikel Arteta

Barcelona has reportedly identified Mikel Arteta as a possible successor to current boss Xavi. The Spanish giants are currently in the midst of an inconsistent season. While they have won 10 of their first dozen LaLiga matches, they have also already been knocked out of the Champions League.

Champions League Group C was widely considered to be the “group of death.” After all, the group consisted of Barca, Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan. All three of these massive teams could not advance to the Champions League knockout rounds. As it turns out, Barca would be the ones to be left out.

This isn’t the first time in recent memory that Barca has struggled in the Champions League group stage. They also finished third in their group last season. Xavi was introduced as the club’s head coach in November of 2021. He was on the sidelines for the final two group stage matches of that season. Barca failed to win either game.

As a result, Barca were sent packing to the Europa League. Xavi did navigate tough knockout round victories against Napoli and Galatasaray. However, Barca fell in the quarterfinals against Eintracht Frankfurt. The German club went on to win the Europa League.

Barcelona sees Arsenal success under Mikel Arteta

If Barca continue to struggle throughout the current campaign, they could turn their attention towards Mikel Arteta. The former Barca youth player has taken Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table. The Gunners have also qualified in their group to the Europa League knockout rounds as well.

Sport is claiming that Barca officials like what they see from Arteta at Arsenal. Not only does he have his team performing on the pitch, but the young manager also has control of his dressing room. He has shown that he is not afraid to take a stand with difficult personalities inside his team.

Barca supposedly have a plan to keep Xavi at the club for many years. Nevertheless, poor performances throughout the current campaign could change these plans. Therefore, the LaLiga giants are reportedly keeping tabs on Arteta just in case they do need to make a switch.

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