Mikel Arteta has been connected with the Barcelona position to replace Xavi, and he might leave Arsenal in the process.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, is apparently one of three candidates to replace outgoing Barcelona manager Xavi, along with Jurgen Klopp and Julian Nagelsmann. It would be a homecoming for the Gunners’ head coach, who grew up at the La Masia academy before departing without making a senior appearance. If Arteta returns to Spain and leaves Arsenal, he might inflict much more harm, as Express Sport has identified three players who could follow Arteta at Barcelona.
Arteta has previously signed Oleksandr Zinchenko from a past team and may have the possibility to do so again. Barcelona analyst Gerard Romero believes the La Liga giants would look at Arteta as a possible replacement for Xavi, who was considered for the post in 2021 but later signed a new contract at the Emirates Stadium.
Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde suffered a torn hamstring, ruling him out for the rest of the season, and there is a risk he will not be totally fit until the following season.
Arteta might arrange a move for Zinchenko to Barcelona to help him navigate the first half of the season. It would also allow the Spanish manager to invert the full-back role, as Zinchenko frequently does in the Premier League, while still keeping Balde’s ability to play as a natural overlapping defender, increasing tactical versatility.
Gabriel Martinelli
Ferran Torres and Joao Felix have shared minutes on the left of Xavi’s front three this season, but the club may not exercise their option to buy their Atletico Madrid loanee while whispers persist that Torres is dissatisfied at the club and may seek a return to the Premier League.
Despite failing to meet expectations this season, Gabriel Martinelli has been a consistent starter in that position for Arteta since his debut with the Arsenal first team. If Arteta wants to upgrade and recruit a new left-winger, he might go no further than the man who scored 15 league goals for him last season.
Arsenal may be more willing to let Martinelli depart now than they were six months ago, as Leandro Trossard and Reiss Nelson have recently impressed, and Martinelli’s drop in form has not gone ignored.
