Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is now widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the Premier League, but it took a long time for his work to be recognised.
Arteta has succeeded in the first managerial job of his career, taking over an Arsenal side in crisis, and rebuilding them into a young squad competing for the Premier League title.
However, it took a while for fans and pundits to recognise the job he was doing, after some tough years in which he faced huge pressure to keep his job.
The Spaniard’s reputation in England improved after he helped Arsenal quickly improve from mid-table finishes to competing with the best teams, but Arteta’s poor European record did not help his perception in his home country, with his work not as highly regarded in Spain until recently.
Former Arsenal captain and Spain International Cesc Fabregas has now explained why Arteta faced difficulties over his reputation but claimed that he is now recognised within Spain.
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Cesc Fabregas claims Mikel Arteta’s reputation in Spain has improved
Speaking via Hayters TV, Fabregas explained why it was initially tough for Arteta to build a good reputation as a manager within Spanish football.
“The thing is, is that he’s never played really there,” Fabregas explained.
“He played for Real Sociedad a bit, maybe a year, not much, and he’s never managed there.
“It’s a little bit unfair to say anything because, when you’ve been part of a country, competing as a player, as a coach, people have seen and followed you for a long period of time.
“With Mikel, it’s not been like that, because, in Spain, obviously they follow the Premier League. But normally when you’re in Spain, you do not follow everybody, but you follow Arsenal, Chelsea Man City, Man United, Liverpool.
“You knew Arteta was playing for Everton, but there was no serious respect at all, it’s not something that goes into the headlines every single day.
“Then when he went to Arsenal, obviously he made a big step regarding the recognition he was getting in Spain. I think slowly, people are understanding and seeing what he’s doing, and, obviously respecting him a lot, and I think in Spain now he’s seen as one of the best coaches.”
Mikel Arteta now has a strong reputation in Spain
Arteta’s reputation in Spain has now grown to the extent that he has admirers at Barcelona to become their manager, having come through their academy in his playing days.
It took some time for him to restore Arsenal to the higher end of the Premier League table, and his side competing in the title race in back-to-back seasons has helped boost his profile across Europe.
Arteta’s lack of playing significance in Spain, compared to the Premier League, meant that he flew under the radar, but his work at Arsenal has now earned him indisputable credit.