In an odd statement, Rio Ferdinand has said that if Manchester United decided to split ways with Erik ten Hag, Mikel Arteta would gladly dump Arsenal for Manchester United.
Over the past three seasons, Arteta has elevated Arsenal to title contenders, whereas Ten Hag has struggled to establish any sort of rhythm at United throughout the current campaign. The Dutch tactician’s future at the team has been questioned, and many believe Ten Hag will be fired in the summer now that INEOS’ takeover is complete. Ferdinand believes that if Arteta is the Red Devils’ main target, he could then decide to quit the Gunners and go with United.
“Arteta would leave Arsenal to come to Man United, 100 per cent,” he said on FIVE. “No-one is saying it’s happening, but if Man United, in their wildest dreams, said ‘do you know what, Erik ten Hag, thank you’, or Erik ten Hag has been poached by Bayern Munich and he goes there, and Man United say ‘right, top of our list, Mikel Arteta’, Arteta is going in [to Arsenal] and saying ‘listen lads, it’s been emotional, but I’ve got to move and got to go’.”
Arteta seemed content with his position at Arsenal despite Ferdinand’s most recent remarks. The Spaniard became a contender for the position after Xavi declared his intention to leave Barcelona at the end of the current campaign.
According to sources in Spanish media, Arteta expressed his desire for the move to his entourage. Later on, the Arsenal manager would denounce these claims as untrue and express his satisfaction with the team’s progress.
“No. That’s totally fake news. I don’t know where it is coming from, it’s totally untrue and I’m very upset about it,” said Arteta, as quoted by Sky Sports.
“I could not believe it. It has no sources. You have to be cautious when you write things in the way it was yesterday.”
With 58 points from 26 games, Arsenal is presently third in the Premier League standings. The Gunners trail Manchester City in second place and Liverpool in first place by just two points each.
