Mikel Arteta expresses his gratitude for the long-lasting support from Mauricio Pochettino, whom he considers a mentor or guiding figure in his career.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta shared his deep admiration for Mauricio Pochettino, describing their relationship as that of a “big brother.” He believes Pochettino is making a positive impact at Chelsea, and this praise stems from their shared history and their respective journeys in football.

Arteta and Pochettino’s connection traces back to their time at Paris Saint-Germain in 2001, where they played alongside each other for a year. This friendship has endured throughout the years. Despite their 10-year age difference, Arteta recognizes Pochettino’s pivotal role in his career. He credits Pochettino for being a mentor who provided guidance and support during their time in Paris, both as a player and on a personal level. Pochettino’s influence extended into Arteta’s transition into coaching, as he offered valuable advice and played a significant role in Arteta’s decision to start a coaching career.

Arteta, who took over as Arsenal manager in December 2019, acknowledges the significant changes that Pochettino has been implementing at Chelsea since taking charge. Despite a challenging start, Arteta is impressed by Pochettino’s impact and sees a positive transformation taking place. He anticipates a tough match against Chelsea due to the changes brought about by his former teammate.

Additionally, Arteta humorously shared that Pochettino’s initial advice after his playing career was, “Don’t go into coaching – it’s too hard!” Nevertheless, Arteta closely observed Pochettino’s coaching journey and commends his profound understanding of the game and leadership qualities. He takes pride in Pochettino’s accomplishments and the manner in which he has navigated his coaching career.