Mikel Arteta discusses Arsenal contract, Mikel Merino ahead of Villa clash

The Spaniard has now entered the final year of his agreement with the three-time Premier League champions, and his work in North London has apparently caught the eye of two of his former clubs.

Barcelona were heavily linked with a move for Arteta last season after Xavi initially announced his desire to step down, but the Arsenal boss slammed untrue rumours that he was prepared to leave Arsenal for the Catalan giants.

Barca instead opted for Hansi Flick following a farce in which Xavi performed a U-turn only to be sacked weeks later, while Manchester City are believed to be eyeing Arteta as a possible Pep Guardiola successor.

Like his former student, Guardiola is also out of contract in 2025, and there is said to be a growing feeling among Etihad chiefs that the 53-year-old will not renew his deal at the end of the season.

Arteta on Merino: 'There is still time in the transfer market'

Speaking to the media before Arsenal's trip to Aston Villa on Saturday, Arteta revealed that the transfer window had delayed talks over his own deal, but a renewal is in the works.

"Yes," Arteta replied when asked if he could discuss a new contract from September onwards. "The focus has been on the transfer window and we had quite a lot of things to do, to discuss. We are on it and we will take care of that at the right moment."

Arsenal's trip to Villa comes in the wake of reports that the Gunners have finally agreed a deal for Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino, who is supposedly set to join the club in a transfer worth £32.6m.

The Euro 2024 winner will follow David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori to the Emirates as their third summer signing, but Arteta was quintessentially tight-lipped when pressed on the rumours.

However, the Arsenal boss did insist that "anything could happen" in the final week of the transfer window, adding: "You know that I cannot talk about any player that is not with us.

Arteta makes firm Eddie Nketiah admission amid exit reports

"There is still time in the market, both ways, for other managers and other teams and you can tell it is the end. The full focus is on the players that we have at the moment. The big matter is tomorrow against Aston Villa and that's where we're at.

"Anything can happen both ways, especially in the last week. You have to be ready, especially in the last week, you have to be ready and be prepared because a lot of surprises can come, for many different reasons and we are prepared."

As Merino prepares to touch down in North London, striker Eddie Nketiah is expected to join Nottingham Forest in a deal that could fetch up to £30m, but Arteta is still counting on the Englishman for the weekend.

"I expect Eddie to train with us today and be prepared for tomorrow, and then whatever happens, it will happen if it's good for everyone," the 42-year-old replied.

Aston Villa were the only team to do the double over Arsenal in last season's Premier League, but the Gunners' 14 wins at Villa Park is their joint-most at any away ground in the competition, level with Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park.