MIKEL KEEN TO HAVE MESSI’S MAGIC HERE

MIKEL ARTETA is desperate for Lionel Messi to come to the Premier League – even if it means strengthening a rival.

The Gunners boss is a boyhood Barcelona fan but still believes Messi would be good for English football, with Manchester City leading the race to sign him.

Messi, 33, has told Barcelona he wants to leave and Pep Guardiola wants to link up with his former player again.

Arteta said: “Let’s see what happens and if he comes to England – we are all going to enjoy it.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s against Arsenal. It’s good for football.

“If it’s not there we might find him in the Champions League.

“You want the best players in your league. For me, that is the best thing as an athlete, to have the most competitive league in the world. The

Premier League always had that. With Cristiano Ronaldo, I played against him when he was great, it raises the level of every individual and team as well.”

Arteta, who was at Barcelona as a teenager, did admit he would be sad to see Messi leave the Nou Camp. He added: “He’s been linked everywhere. He has more clubs than any other player in history after him.

“I’ve been a Barcelona fan since I was young so it’s always sad to see what in my opinion has been the best player in football history leave that football club.”

IN DEMAND: Arteta wants Messi in league