Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been told that leaving the Gunners for Real Madrid in the summer would be a "mistake" amid reports he could be bound for the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Spaniard has earned plenty of plaudits for the way he has set up his Arsenal side this season and despite two successive draws denting morale, a first Premier League title in 19 years is still in the grasp of the Gunners. It could, according to some rumours, be the last thing Arteta does in the Emirates hot seat.
Real Madrid are currently guided by Carlo Ancelotti, but speculation suggests that those at the top of Los Blancos hierarchy could be tempted into parting ways with the Italian if he fails to win the Champions League. Real Madrid are 11 points behind LaLiga leaders and fierce rivals Barcelona domestically.
Arteta, meanwhile, has been in charge of Arsenal since late 2019 and his greatest feat so far has been the 2020 FA Cup triumph. Whether the Gunners finish top or not, this season has been a very impressive one that has exceeded just about every expectation.
This is why Arteta now finds himself the subject of links with the Real Madrid job, something Rio Ferdinand feels the Emirates faithful should be wary of.
"You’ve got to keep Arteta, first and foremost," Ferdinand said while laughing when speaking about Arsenal on his YouTube podcast.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Arteta still be at Arsenal next season? Comment below
"I heard something… I heard that Real Madrid [are interested] and when they come knocking your players will be coachless.
"I heard Ancelotti, Don Carlo, the eyebrow, he might be getting off, and that Arteta is looking to go to Real Madrid. That’s the rumour on the streets. The streets are talking."
However, another former Premier League talent in ex-Gunner Emmanuel Petit has warned Arteta to steer clear of the Spanish capital and oversee things at an Arsenal side that will all but certainly be in the Champions League next season.
"I think it would be a mistake for him to leave Arsenal and go to Madrid right now," Petit told Compare.bet. "He has improved so much in the last three years. Remember when he was first appointed, his first few months were very difficult.
"Arsenal were in the relegation zone and the board gave him time to execute his vision and do exactly what he wanted with the team both individually and collectively, now we’re all applauding the way Arsenal are playing right now.
"Arteta needs to play with Arsenal in the Champions League first, then we will see what could happen after that. Madrid is a huge, huge club and you need to get a manager that has already won big titles and can manage their dressing room."
