Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has opened up about his long-standing connection with one Tottenham Hotspur icon.
Throughout his playing career, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta played with some of the modern greats of the game.
Growing up in Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, the former midfielder was in youth teams with the likes of Andres Iniesta, Thiago Motta, and Pepe Reina. When he made the move to PSG as a teenager, he joined a first-team squad which featured Nicolas Anelka, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Ronaldinho, amongst others.
Arteta only spent 18 months on the books with the French giants, on loan from Barcelona, but was able to rack up 53 appearances, across all competitions.
He then spent time with Rangers and Real Sociedad, before enjoying an extended spell with Everton, where he got his first taste of Premier League football.
In 2011, the Spaniard left Merseyside to join Arsenal in a £10 million deal on transfer deadline day. He went on to make 150 appearances for the North London club, winning two FA Cups, before hanging up his boots as club captain at the end of the 2015/16 season.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta recalls influence of Mauricio Pochettino
Arteta has now reflected upon his playing career, and has named one-time PSG teammate Mauricio Pochettino as one of his greatest influences.
As quoted by BBC Sport, he said: “Mauricio was like a shield for me – he was protecting me from everything. He was giving me so much confidence.
“He was playing behind me and then it was like having someone constantly pushing you in your back and coaching you and helping you all the time. I could not find anybody better.”
Where Mikel Arteta and Mauricio Pochettino stand now
Just as Arteta did, Pochettino went into management after his playing career ended, and is currently in charge of Chelsea. He previously enjoyed a successful stint in charge of the Gunners’ arch rivals, Tottenham Hotspur. The Argentine coach led Spurs to their first ever Champions League final in 2019.
Pochettino failed to get the better of Arteta this season, though, as Arsenal took four points off the Blues. In late April, the Gunners thrashed Chelsea 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium, with Kai Havertz bagging a brace against his former club.
The real reason why Havertz chose to celebrate his goals against Chelsea has since come to light.
Whilst Pochettino’s side are scrapping for Europa League qualification, Arteta has led Arsenal to the cusp of a potential Premier League title triumph.
Arteta has revolutionised Arsenal since his appointment as manager in December 2019.
