Barcelona are monitoring Mikel Arteta’s progress at Arsenal ahead of a potential future approach.
Arteta has impressed in his first managerial position at Arsenal with the Gunners top of the table following the club’s best ever start to a Premier League season.
The Spaniard has transformed the atmosphere and squad profile at the Emirates, moving on underperforming and overpaid stars to bring in emerging talent.
Arteta came through the academy ranks at the Camp Nou and began his coaching career as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, with the 40-year-old possessing a profile that has made him a potential future candidate to become Barcelona’s head coach.
Sport are reporting that Barcelona retain faith in Xavi despite the club’s early elimination from the Champions League, but are keeping a close eye on Arteta.
The Spanish side are second in La Liga following a strong start to the season domestically, but exited the Champions League at the group stage for a second successive season. Xavi’s side will drop into the Europa League after finishing behind Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
