Arteta inspired by Guardiola who 'changed the game'

Mikel Arteta paid tribute to Pep Guardiola ahead of their FA Cup fourth round clash.

The Arsenal manager worked under Guardiola at Manchester City before taking charge of Emirates Stadium in December 2019, and is now in the midst of a Premier League title race with his former mentor.
>
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Friday's match between the Gunners and City at the Etihad Stadium, Arteta said he was inspired by Guardiola and compared his impact on football to that of Johan Cruyff.

"I feel grateful, first of all, because he inspired me as a player, and he inspired me and gave me the opportunity as a coach," said declared the Spaniard.

"I probably wouldn't have had the career I had as a player, the understanding of the game or the goal I had as a player if he hadn't been at Barcelona at that time. time.

"And I wouldn't be sitting here and having this drive and love for coaching if we hadn't crossed paths in my life and he hadn't given me the opportunity that he gave me. gave. That's all."

Arteta spent three years as a player in Barcelona's C and B teams before leaving for Rangers in 2002, while Guardiola was part of the Blaugrana first team at the same time.

“I was watching him and just wanted to do what he was doing,” Arteta explained. “And I loved the way he played and the way he conveyed on the pitch and his understanding of what was happening on the pitch. He was an inspiration, ever since I was 18.”

Guardiola helped build Barca into a dominant force as head coach, before securing spells at Bayern Munich and City, and Arteta says he learned a lot from working closely with him.< /p>
"I think the influence that Pep has had on football over the last 20 years is incredibly powerful," he said. "He changed the game, like Johan did in the past...we were inspired by a lot of the things he did.

"Everyone has to build their own career and their own path. A career does not last six months, or a year, or two years. Let's see and let everyone develop as they should."

Sports Jan 27, 2023 0 34 Add to Reading List

Arteta inspired by Guardiola who 'changed the game'

Mikel Arteta paid tribute to Pep Guardiola ahead of their FA Cup fourth round clash.

The Arsenal manager worked under Guardiola at Manchester City before taking charge of Emirates Stadium in December 2019, and is now in the midst of a Premier League title race with his former mentor.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Friday's match between the Gunners and City at the Etihad Stadium, Arteta said he was inspired by Guardiola and compared his impact on football to that of Johan Cruyff.

"I feel grateful, first of all, because he inspired me as a player, and he inspired me and gave me the opportunity as a coach," said declared the Spaniard.

"I probably wouldn't have had the career I had as a player, the understanding of the game or the goal I had as a player if he hadn't been at Barcelona at that time. time.

"And I wouldn't be sitting here and having this drive and love for coaching if we hadn't crossed paths in my life and he hadn't given me the opportunity that he gave me. gave. That's all."

Arteta spent three years as a player in Barcelona's C and B teams before leaving for Rangers in 2002, while Guardiola was part of the Blaugrana first team at the same time.

“I was watching him and just wanted to do what he was doing,” Arteta explained. “And I loved the way he played and the way he conveyed on the pitch and his understanding of what was happening on the pitch. He was an inspiration, ever since I was 18.”

Guardiola helped build Barca into a dominant force as head coach, before securing spells at Bayern Munich and City, and Arteta says he learned a lot from working closely with him.< /p>

"I think the influence that Pep has had on football over the last 20 years is incredibly powerful," he said. "He changed the game, like Johan did in the past...we were inspired by a lot of the things he did.

"Everyone has to build their own career and their own path. A career does not last six months, or a year, or two years. Let's see and let everyone develop as they should."