Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that it's 'inevitable' that he will be sacked in the future as Barcelona reportedly line up a move to poach the Spaniard from the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners have already secured their spot in the Europa League knockout rounds but are still yet to ensure they win their group. Arsenal returned to winning ways at the weekend as they thrashed Nottingham Forest 5-0 to go back to the top of the Premier League table, two points ahead of reigning champions Manchester City.
Injuries continue to threaten the north London outfit's success this season, with Bukayo Saka the latest star to pick up a knock ahead of a huge London derby against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this weekend. Arteta has managed to get the most out of his squad so far this season, having lost just two games in all competitions as they continue to challenge domestically and in Europe, but he is aware things could change at any moment.
READ MORE: Arsenal to discover Bukayo Saka injury status ahead of Europa League clash against FC Zurich
Understandably, with the Gunners flying high, interest has appeared from abroad for the services of Arteta, who only this year signed a new long-term deal keeping him at the club until 2027. The Spaniard may be the youngest manager in the English top-flight, but understands how things can change quickly in football and has admitted that his time at the Emirates Stadium could end at any point.
"As a manager, probably it's the (biggest) fear of getting sacked," Arteta confessed to Michael Calvin's Football People podcast. "I made a very conscious decision the day I made the decision to become a coach - I said: 'It will happen. Today, tomorrow, in a month's time, in 10 years' time. I don't know when it will happen.'
"That cannot drive my emotion and this cannot be the reason why I do certain things or not. For me now, the fear is to let people down."
The three-time Premier League Manager of the Month is someone the Barcelona hierarchy are said to have marked as a 'firm candidate' to replace Xavi Hernandez in the seasons to come, as per Spanish outlet Sport. The same report claims the Catalan giants have no interest in parting ways with Xavi before the end of this season, despite a devastating UEFA Champions League group stage exit following a summer transfer window that involved plenty of investment, despite the La Liga outfit's financial struggles.
Arsenal will be hoping that Arteta can continue his long-term project at the Emirates Stadium and keep developing the team into Premier League title challengers, with a return to the UEFA Champions League the main aim for the Gunners this season.
The north London outfit are hoping to tie down technical director Edu Gaspar, as well as the likes of Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli, to new contracts as they aim to protect the long-term future of the club.
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