28 July 2023 , 23:45
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Mikel Arteta is following in the footsteps of Arsene Wenger as Arsenal boss and claims he most connects with the Frenchman's "loyalty".
The Arsenal legend was at the helm for more than two decades, eventually leaving as the club's most successful manager. In his peak though, when he was leading the north Londoners to Invincible Premier League titles, Wenger was courted by other European heavyweights.
Real Madrid were among those to come knocking and Wenger has been open about his decision to knock back offers in order to remain at Arsenal. That loyalty was commended, especially in the latter years when there were calls for him to go, with Arteta hoping to emulate it.
The Spaniard told the club's website : “I learned so much from him and if I had to pick one of his many great values, it is how loyal he was and how much he defended the club, its players and football in general. The passion he has for the game is just phenomenal and you could see that. He really wanted to respect the game and he wanted it to be played in a certain way.
"Also, the way he always put the club in front of any personal interest at all times is something that I have tried to learn from him. The way he defended the club, the way he presented himself, the way he was loyal to the players and his staff is something that I really took from him. He is an example for me.”
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It was Wenger who bought Arteta to the Emirates when he signed him from Everton with the former player now making the big calls in the dugout. An impressive year last time out has seen the Spaniard's stock rise and he's been linked with other roles on the continent.
Arsene Wenger oversaw a hugely successful period during his tenureOthers club may have gathered more trophies in recent years and have deeper pockets than the Gunners but Arteta is set to build long-term at the Emirates with a statue of his former boss to be created outside the stadium, which he assisted in creating.
“It’s such a great tribute that the club has done something special for Arsène that he fully deserves and merits,” said the Arsenal boss. “With a statue now at the stadium, Arsène can have that recognition and be here at our club forever. I’m so grateful to have played for Arsène at this club in my career.
"He chose me to be one of his players and selected me to be the captain of the club and that's something I will never forget. Towards the end of my playing career, I started to speak with Arsène about going into coaching and management myself, and he told me he had already anticipated that. Even the first year when I got here, he said to me: ‘one day you are going to be a manager’, and I wasn't really thinking about that at that time.”