Tue Oct 01 20:57:25 UTC 2024: ## From Promising Teen to Premier League Boss: Mikel Arteta’s Early Days in Paris
Mikel Arteta, the current manager of Arsenal, began his professional career at the age of 18 in Paris Saint-Germain. But his journey to the top started long before that, with a guiding hand from a teammate who became a mentor.
That teammate was none other than Mauricio Pochettino, who is 10 years older than Arteta. They met in January 2001 when Arteta joined PSG from Espanyol. The two players shared a close bond, living together in a hotel during their first three months in Paris.
Pochettino recognized Arteta’s leadership qualities from the start. “He was already a coach,” Pochettino remarked in 2023. “He was giving advice to me and others. I’d say ‘Wow!’ – the character, the personality, the charisma. He already had the football brain.”
Arteta was assigned the role of a deep-lying midfielder by manager Luis Fernandez, a role he filled with a maturity that belied his young age. “Fernandez asked him to play simply and help provide a platform for more creative talents like Okocha,” explained football expert Matt Spiro. “And he did it brilliantly.”
Despite his limited time on the pitch, Arteta showcased his strategic awareness and tactical understanding, making him stand out even amongst his experienced teammates. He made his PSG debut in a 2-2 draw against Lille, scoring his first goal for the club.
However, the season ended on a disappointing note for PSG and Arteta. The team suffered a heavy defeat in the French Cup and finished in the bottom half of the Champions League group.
Despite the setbacks, Arteta’s early days at PSG showed glimpses of the leadership and tactical acumen that would eventually lead him to manage a club like Arsenal.
First Piper 