Iconic former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has now revealed one unusual approach Mikel Arteta is taking at Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta is willing to do whatever it takes to get Arsenal to the very top.
Since the Spanish coach was appointed as Arsenal boss in December 2019, taking his first step into management in the process, he has utterly transformed the club.
Upon his arrival at the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners were in disarray. The relationship between the fans and the club had broken down almost entirely. Atmospheres in the ground were flat, if not outright sour at times. The playing squad lacked quality, and the mismanagement of contracts made it difficult for a number of unwanted stars to be moved on.
There were difficult times for Arteta in his first couple of seasons in the job. Early transfer missteps, such as the signings of Willian and Pablo Mari could have had catastrophic consequences for his own position.
However, the club remained resolute in their support of the manager, even when others were calling for his head and doubts had crept in amongst the fanbase. Sporting director Edu has since explained why Arsenal stuck by Arteta throughout this period.
How Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal
Arsenal have been rewarded for their faith in the former club captain. In his time at the helm, Arteta has made the Gunners genuine Premier League title contenders again. They are currently in the heat of a title race with both Manchester City and Liverpool – two clubs who in the recent past looked to be lightyears ahead of Arsenal.
On top of that, Arsenal recently secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years.
The likelihood of continued further progress is strong too. Arteta has built a talented, young squad. The likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, William Saliba, and Martin Odegaard, amongst others, are all due to reach their peak years around the same time.
Those players are all likely to remain in north London for the foreseeable future, too. Arsenal have been praised for the way they have revolutionised their approach to managing player contracts.
READ MORE: Arsenal’s XI for Mikel Arteta’s first match as manager
Rio Ferdinand lifts lid on ‘obsessive’ Mikel Arteta actions
Arteta is at the root of all of this positive change, and Rio Ferdinand has now shared an example of what the 42-year-old is willing to do to gain an advantage.
Speaking on the VIBE with FIVE podcast, the former centre-back said, “I’m on a leadership course, yeah. There’s an Australian company that does elite leadership courses for big business owners and business leaders around the world, who are leading huge billion dollar companies. Mikel Arteta is on this course. So, what I’m saying is this guy is an obsessive natured person who is always looking for the extra percentage to improve, to get to the next level. He’s working in ways that are outside the box.”