Mikel Arteta Reveals Pep Guardiola's Influence in Arsenal’s Stunning Victory Over Real Madrid
Following Arsenal's emphatic 3-0 win against Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, manager Mikel Arteta opened up about the behind-the-scenes support he received from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. The victory, secured at the Emirates Stadium, has given the Gunners a significant advantage heading into the return leg in Madrid.
In the post-match press conference, Arteta was asked whether he had reached out to Guardiola, who has a wealth of experience facing Real Madrid in both domestic and European competitions. Notably, Guardiola’s Manchester City side has faced Real Madrid several times in the Champions League and has come out on top in many of those encounters, including a dominant semi-final performance in the 2022-23 season.
Arteta responded candidly, saying: “Yes, over the past few days, we did speak. I wanted to talk to him, and I think he also wanted that discussion. It was a mutual thing.”
He went on to highlight the value of learning from top professionals: “It’s always a privilege to learn from the best, and Pep is definitely one of them. I consider myself very fortunate to have incredible people around me, and their insights and support have helped me tremendously—not only in preparing for this match but throughout my coaching journey.”
Arteta and Guardiola share a close professional relationship that dates back to their time together at Manchester City. Arteta served as Guardiola’s assistant manager for three years, from 2016 to 2019. During that period, Manchester City won multiple trophies, including back-to-back Premier League titles, and developed a reputation for their fluid, attacking football. That experience helped shape Arteta’s coaching philosophy and has clearly influenced the tactical maturity Arsenal displayed against Real Madrid.
.jpeg)
In Tuesday’s match, Arsenal executed a near-perfect game plan. The team dominated possession, pressed intelligently, and took their chances clinically—traits often associated with Guardiola’s sides. While Arteta has built his own identity at Arsenal, many elements of his style still reflect his time under Pep’s mentorship.
The win over Real Madrid was not just a tactical triumph but also a psychological one. Real Madrid, with their storied history in the Champions League and a squad filled with experienced stars, are often intimidating opponents—especially in the latter stages of the competition. Arteta’s ability to prepare his team mentally and tactically for such a challenge is a testament to his growth as a manager and perhaps also to the knowledge shared in those conversations with Guardiola.
With one foot now in the semi-finals, Arsenal will look to build on this advantage when they travel to the Santiago Bernabéu for the second leg. However, Arteta remains grounded and knows the job is far from finished. Real Madrid are known for their comebacks, especially on home soil, and Arsenal will need to maintain their focus and discipline.
Still, Arteta’s openness to learning and collaboration, especially with someone as accomplished as Guardiola, highlights one of his greatest strengths as a manager. It’s not just about tactics; it’s about being humble enough to seek advice, absorb knowledge, and adapt—all qualities that are helping him lead Arsenal to new heights
0 comments:
Post a Comment