Emmanuel Petit: Mikel Arteta will one day manage Barcelona

Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal into a juggernaut, and Emmanuel Petit is adamant the manager will eventually return to Spain to take charge of Barcelona. Petit highlights Arteta's La Masia background and his role in guiding Arsenal to the top of the Premier League and into the latter stages of the Champions League.

"Mikel Arteta will one day manage Barcelona, I think eventually we'll see that," Petit said, adding that the connection between Arteta and the Blaugrana way runs deep. He suggested the decision may come down to how Arteta wants to shape his career—whether to be a long‑term steward at one club or to experience football in other countries.

Arsenal's season has its pressures: a 2-2 draw with Wolves opened the door for Manchester City to cut the lead to two points, and past near-misses have intensified scrutiny. Petit argued results might not change the outcome, saying, "If he wins, he will leave. If he doesn't win, he will leave," and that only Arteta himself knows what he will decide.

Spain, Barcelona

mikel arteta, emmanuel petit, barcelona, arsenal, la masia, blaugrana, premier league, champions league, manchester city, wolves