Pep Guardiola recalls moment he knew Mikel Arteta would thrive as manager
The Man City boss has lauded the influence of the Arsenal boss in his transition to the Premier League
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
Pep Guardiola has recalled the moment he knew Mikel Arteta would thrive as a manager during the early stages of his reign at Manchester City.
The Arsenal boss learned his trade under the former Barcelona tactician, providing knowledge of the English came from his time as a player in the Premier League.
And Guardiola has detailed how Arteta specifically helped him to form a gameplan after moving to the Etihad.
“I remember the first game we play against Sunderland,” Guardiola says. “We play against David Moyes.
“He [Arteta] said: ‘I know him well, he was at Everton, he does this and that.’
“After 15 minutes, half an hour, I said, ‘Yeah, this is the guy to help me to anticipate’.”
Guardiola is preparing to face Arteta in the FA Cup fourth round, with both sides also battling it out for the title.
And despite his role as a mentor, Guardiola has dismissed his influence on the Gunners’ meteoric rise.
“What I see in Arsenal belongs to Mikel and his people,” said Guardiola. “I would like to say ‘Yeah, what they do is because I teach him’. Bulls**t.
“I am 52 years old. I’ve been in Arsenal for one day, when they allowed us to train to win the Champions League against [Manchester] United [in 2011]. That’s the only time I’ve been in the Arsenal training centre. Sorry United!
“They play with wingers higher than the midfielders like us - yeah. But all the methodology, the process, with the character, the mentality, the set pieces, a thousand million things - that belongs to them.”
Click here to subscribe to The Independent's Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments