Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta one of two ‘obvious’ candidates to replace Xavi at Barcelona, claims Gerard Pique

GERARD PIQUE has named Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as one of two “obvious” candidates to take over at Barcelona.

Current Barca boss Xavi Hernandez is leaving the club in the summer with the team struggling in LaLiga.

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Mikel Arteta has been named as one of two obvious candidates for Barcelona[/caption]

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Gerard Pique believes Arteta understands the Barcelona DNA[/caption]

This coming summer represents a pivotal moment for the Spanish giants owing to their crippling financial situation.

However, in an interview with The Times, former Barcelona and Manchester United defender Pique has revealed who he believes to be the best candidates to steer the ship next.

The 37-year-old said: “To manage Barça you need to be a specific type of coach and to understand the way Barça play, so the options are much less.

“The obvious ones are [Pep] Guardiola, because he had his past here, and he is the best coach right now, and [Arsenal’s Mikel] Arteta.

“He would be a good one also. He understands Barcelona and played for Barça in the past.”

Arteta, 41, and Arsenal categorically denied reports in January which claimed he had decided to quit the Gunners to head to Spain.

Indeed, Arteta said in a press conference following the news: “That’s totally fake news what you read yesterday.

“I don’t know where it’s coming from and it’s totally untrue. I’m really upset about it…

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“I could not believe [it] (the reports). I don’t know where it’s coming from.

“I think we have to be very cautious when you talk about personal things.”

However, Pique also believes that Xavi’s decision could still be reversed.

He added: “I don’t think it’s a decision that is 100 per cent.

“Let’s see how the season ends. I think maybe he will stay.”