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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has disclosed that he was aware Xabi Alonso would choose to stay at Bayer Leverkusen despite speculation linking him to the Liverpool job.

Alonso quickly emerged as a leading contender to succeed Jurgen Klopp after the latter announced his departure from Liverpool over two months ago.

The former Reds midfielder has garnered significant attention across Europe for his managerial prowess at Leverkusen.

As Liverpool’s hopes for the Premier League title dwindled on Sunday, Leverkusen clinched their maiden Bundesliga title with a commanding 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen.

Alonso’s commitment to the club was evident, effectively quelling any speculation regarding a potential return to Anfield, at least for the time being.

Amid the 42-year-old’s decision to stay in Germany, speculation has shifted towards other potential candidates to replace Klopp at Liverpool.

Ruben Amorim of Sporting CP and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi have emerged as names in contention for the managerial role.

Arsenal, currently positioned above Liverpool in the league table but trailing Manchester City, are among the clubs aiming to challenge Liverpool’s dominance in the closing stages of Klopp’s tenure.

However, following Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa, Arteta conceded that he had anticipated Alonso’s preference to remain in Germany.

“I did, to be fair,” Mikel Arteta said when asked about the fellow Spaniard.

“Knowing him, I did.

“So impressive, not only what he is doing as a manager, but what he did as a player as well and representing the Basque country in the way that he did when he played for Madrid and Liverpool.

I am really happy for him.”

Just hours after winning the Bundesliga title, Alonso as reported by the Mirror, “When I feel that the team is behind me, the feeling that they want to believe, it’s much easier.

“That was my great enjoyment, that I had the feeling that the team was really committed, and once you have that it’s much easier

“I don’t know what it will mean for the future, but at the moment it feels pretty great.”

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