Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta appears to have quashed any talk that he could be nearing the Emirates exit door next summer despite Rio Ferdinand's claim.
The former Manchester United star talked up the idea of Arteta cutting his stay with the Gunners short at the end of this season to swap north London for the bright lights of Real Madrid. Those at the top of the Los Blancos hierarchy are rumoured to have earmarked Arteta as a potential successor to Carlo Ancelotti should the Italian fail to win the Champions League.
Ferdinand warned Gunners fans that they should be wary of their manager heading back to his home country in the summer.
"You’ve got to keep Arteta, first and foremost," Ferdinand said while laughing when speaking about Arsenal on his YouTube podcast.
"I heard something… I heard that Real Madrid [are interested] and when they come knocking your players will be coachless.
"I heard Ancelotti, Don Carlo, the eyebrow, he might be getting off, and that Arteta is looking to go to Real Madrid. That’s the rumour on the streets. The streets are talking."
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However, Arteta's most recent remarks seem to pour cold water over the idea that he could be on the move anytime soon as he proudly declared his love for his job at Arsenal.
The Gunners boss was asked by Sky Sports whether he ever thinks about anything other than the task staring him in the face ahead of the final seven games of the season.
"I was thinking about that on Sunday, after the game, when you are low and questioning yourself, it was five am the next morning and I couldn't wait to get out of my bed and come here to work.
"You have that if you love what you do, I have a big passion for the game and being the Arsenal manager. There is a purpose driving us here, which is what we all want to do and that lifts me from my bed very early and with a lot of energy.
"That is an incredible thing to have in your life."
Arteta's full focus is clearly on the task at hand, with Arsenal four points clear at the top of the table but have reigning champions Manchester City breathing down their neck having played a game less.
The two sides meet next Wednesday, but first Arsenal must deal with Southampton at the Emirates on Friday night to keep their title charge alive.
