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Mikel Arteta insists he's 'fully focused' on Arsenal and is 'really enjoying' the challenge of getting the club back on track amid links to his boyhood team Barcelona... as he claims signing a new contract is not a 'priority'

Mikel Arteta has played down speculation linking him with a return to his old club Barcelona and insists agreeing a new contract with Arsenal is not 'urgent'.

Reports in Spain have linked the Gunners boss with the top job at the Nou Camp, with presidential candidate Joan Laporta reportedly keen to install him as manager.

But Arteta, who came through the club's famous La Masia academy but left without making a first team appearance, insists he remains committed to Arsenal.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he's 'fully focused' on the job amid links to old club Barcelona

'There is always going to be speculation when there's elections in Barcelona,' he said during a press conference on Wednesday.