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Arsenal ROCKED by Mikel Arteta exit threat
Cameron Smith
- 19 Jan 2026 10:24 GMT
- 4 min read
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Barcelona have reportedly earmarked Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as a possible replacement for Hansi Flick if he opts to leave the club when his contract expires in 2027.
Flick, 60, has enjoyed a successful 18-month stint at Camp Nou and his side are currently in pole position to win La Liga for the second consecutive season.
The Blaugrana remain extremely happy with Flick at the helm and they are eager to agree a new contract with the ex-Bayern Munich manager in order to secure his services for an extended period of time.
However, the Spanish giants have also drafted an initial shortlist of potential replacements for Flick if he turns down a new deal in favour of departing following the expiration of his contract after the 2026-27 season.
As per Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona have identified former boss Luis Enrique and the aforementioned Arteta as their two priority candidates.
Enrique, who guided Paris Saint-Germain to Champions League glory for the first time in their history last term, spent three years in the Camp Nou dugout and he won eight trophies during his spell in charge before departing in 2017.
Meanwhile, Arteta has enjoyed a thoroughly successful stint at Arsenal, although he has failed to win a single major trophy since the Gunners’ triumph over Chelsea in the 2020 FA Cup final.
However, they are among the top contenders to win the Champions League this year, while they are seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Mikel Arteta to leave Arsenal?
Like Flick, Arteta’s current deal is due to expire in 2027 and he is yet to engage in contract extension talks with the club.
However, when asked whether he could envisage signing fresh terms at the Emirates Stadium in December, Arteta admitted: “Yes, but it is about today. A lot of things have to happen in the next few months, as well, to earn the right. I think the manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow.
“That is how you react, how you talk here, how you go in the dressing room, the message that you send, how much the players follow you.
“I always said that you need support, I said it before. From the ownership and the board, it’s great. At the end, the most important one is those players.
“You open that door, you confront them, you talk to them and they are like this (mimes being open-mouthed) or they are like this (mimes sleeping).
“And for six years, I have seen just players with a level of attention and desire to learn, and give the maximum to the team. That is what keeps me in this job. Nothing else.
“And, obviously, winning a lot of football matches that, percentage-wise, I think is quite high. That is the only way. If not, you cannot survive in this environment.”
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