"The Guardiola link was inevitable, a product of their friendship dating back to 1997. Arteta first met his idol at the Barcelona academy before working under him at Manchester City for three years as a coach. They view the sport the same way, and Arteta's Arsenal would look to embody many of the same traits. The parallel with Mourinho is a more recent occurrence, a consequence of the Gunners' evolution into a physically imposing side primarily founded on resolute defending."
"Arteta in 2025-26 is in a remarkably similar position to then- England boss Southgate at Euro 2024. Both managers took over teams in a disparate state, restored their culture and credibility on the biggest stage and had come agonizingly close to delivering the major trophy their fanbases crave. The final test is this: Can the team that you've admirably transformed into a powerful force seize the moment and win silverware?"
Mikel Arteta's managerial identity has been shaped by early ties to Pep Guardiola and later comparisons to José Mourinho as Arsenal evolved into a physically dominant, defence-first side. A long-standing friendship and coaching spell under Guardiola informed Arteta's footballing philosophy, but recent team composition has emphasized solidity and pragmatism. The current arc draws parallels with Gareth Southgate, who revitalised England and nearly secured major silverware at Euro 2024. Both Arteta and Southgate rebuilt culture and credibility and now face decisive moments: whether their transformed teams can overcome criticism of conservatism and seize trophy-winning opportunities amid heightened expectations.
Read at ESPN.com
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