The Making of Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta Arsenal side are unrecognisable compared to the 2019 version he inherited from predecessor Unai Emery.

Title outsiders five years ago, they are now seen as genuine Premier League and Champions League contenders. His managerial ability is evident now but Arteta’s managerial journey began many years ago.

Basque Roots

Arteta’s ideas are rooted in his Basque heritage. The region has been known for producing top quality coaches, including Unai Emery, Xabi Alonso, Julen Lopetegui and Adoni Iroala. Arteta has spoken about how his upbringing in the region combined with his education have formed him. He explained: “It is the passion for the game, about football. The education we get and the level of coaches there is really good. Everybody takes care of the academy.  You have to see Real Sociedad, Atletico Bilbao, Eibar, all those teams do fantastic work to raise talent and it’s not a coincidence that a lot of players have come through that.”

Wenger’s Influence

Arteta spent his playing career in the Premier League at Arsenal and Everton. During his playing career many tipped him to be a manager. He was known as someone who always would voice his opinion on what he would think was right and demonstrated sound leadership qualities, highlighted by his captaincy at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger. Arteta said “I learned so much from him, and if I had to pick one of his many great values, it’s how loyal he was and how much he defended the club.”

Pep’s Influence

Arteta retired at Arsenal in 2016 and then went on to join Manchester City’s coaching staff under Pep Guardiola. He has admitted that during his time at City he was able to learn a lot from Guardiola and that he looked up to him when he was younger, when they both played at Barcelona. Arteta said:  ‘In my opinion he’s the best coach in the world by a mile and he’s one of the nicest people that I’ve met in football. He inspired me as a player and gave me the opportunity to be a coach.”

Moyes’ Influence

Many managers have influenced the way in which Arteta sees the game. Guardiola and Wenger are key men. Another is the former Everton manager David Moyes, who Arteta played for at Everton for six years. “He’s a really good coach, exceptional at managing the group and dealing with individuals. He’s a very special person, very trustworthy, and a man who honours his word. He always did it and he’s someone I learnt a lot from.”

Learning on the Job

Arteta was overlooked for the Arsenal job when the first opportunity came around due to a lack of experience. The club decided to appoint Unai Emery instead. A year and a half later, Arsenal decided it was time to bring Arteta home and give him his managerial start. He won instant respect by winning the FA Cup in his first six months at the club. His next challenge was to assert his authority over a dressing room packed with dominant personalities such as Mesut Ozil and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.

How Arsenal have evolved under Arteta

Since joining Arsenal in 2019 Arteta has played a major role in changing the culture at the club and reconnecting with the fans. Arsenal recorded finishes of 8th, 8th and 5th in Arteta’s first three seasons. The signings of proven winners Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City set the standards for success. They have been City’s major rivals since and Arteta has maintained that challenge with statement signings such as Declan Rice from West Ham. In 2024 they finished the season with 89 points, only two points Champions City.

Arsenal look to be on the right path under Arteta and now he has been given time to turn his and the club’s potential into tangible success.