Xavi: 'I am not surprised Mikel Arteta is succeeding at Arsenal'

Barcelona head coach Xavi has revealed that he "had a feeling" fellow Spaniard Mikel Arteta would succeed as manager of Arsenal.

After just over three years working as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Arteta stepped into management for the first time in December 2019, replacing Unai Emery in the Arsenal hotseat.

The 40-year-old guided the Gunners to the FA Cup and Community Shield in his first half-season at the club, but he struggled to make an immediate impact in the Premier League, with back-to-back eighth-placed finishes followed by claiming fifth spot last season.

Arteta's future was called into question amid their top-flight struggles, but the club's hierarchy gave the Spaniard the vote of confidence and backed him with funds to spend on building a youthful squad that matched the club's forward-thinking project.

The former Everton midfielder has had to make some bold decision such as culling former stars Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil, while also putting faith in a number of young talents such as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and more recently William Saliba.

© Reuters

The trust that Arsenal have put in Arteta has ultimately been rewarded as they currently sit at the top of the Premier League, two points clear of reigning champions Man City and that gap could increase to five points should the Gunners win their game in hand.

There is genuine believe among the Emirates faithful that Arteta can lead Arsenal to their first top-flight title for nearly two decades, and while many had previously doubled Arteta's credentials, Barca boss Xavi has always believed that his compatriot was capable of restoring the North London club to its former glory.

Speaking to The Times, Xavi said: "He's not surprised me because he had the best references [having worked with Guardiola] and because if you have played as a central midfielder at Barca you already have a head start – you have the map of your pitch in your head.

"And because Pepe Reina is a close friend of his and has always spoken very well of him. I had a feeling that Arteta would do very well, but it was just a feeling."

Arteta began his playing career with Barcelona, joined the club's academy at the age of 15 back in 1997, although he failed to make a single senior appearance before he left permanently to join Rangers in 2002.

© Reuters

Barcelona are reportedly keeping tabs on Arteta's development at Arsenal with a view to potentially hiring the San Sebastian-born coach, but he has insisted that he remains content in North London.

Speaking to reporters earlier this season about rumours linking him with Barca, Arteta said: "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 and his Arsenal squad are currently focused on their next Premier League game away against Leicester City on Saturday, before they play host to Everton four days later.