Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed the pivotal role his former mentor, Pep Guardiola, played in inspiring the Gunners’ remarkable Champions League campaign, culminating in a stunning 5-1 aggregate victory over Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. The Spaniard’s heartfelt gratitude towards the Manchester City boss underscores the profound influence Guardiola has had on Arteta’s managerial journey, as Arsenal now prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals.
Speaking after Arsenal’s 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu, which sealed their first Champions League semi-final berth since 2009, Arteta disclosed that he reached out to Guardiola on the morning of the crucial second leg. “I called him this morning because if I am here, it is thanks to him to a great extent,” Arteta said, reflecting on their conversation. “As a player and a coach, he has been an inspiration to me. I had four amazing years with him, and I will always be grateful to him.”
Arteta’s connection with Guardiola dates back to their time together at Manchester City, where Arteta served as assistant coach from 2016 to 2019. During that period, he contributed to two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and two League Cups, honing the tactical acumen that has since transformed Arsenal into a European powerhouse. “I always will be grateful to him,” Arteta reiterated, emphasizing the personal and professional debt he owes to his former colleague.
The victory over Real Madrid, a 15-time Champions League winner, marked a historic moment for Arsenal. After securing a commanding 3-0 lead in the first leg at the Emirates, the Gunners withstood Madrid’s attempts at a comeback, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli scoring crucial goals in the second leg. Arteta described the Bernabeu triumph as “probably the proudest moment in my career,” highlighting the emotional weight of the achievement.
Reflecting on the match, Arteta admitted the daunting atmosphere of the Bernabeu could have overwhelmed his squad, but their maturity shone through. “It only took a couple of minutes to realize this was a stadium where anything could happen,” he said. “But my players showed the character to manage the difficult moments and find a way past Madrid.”
Arteta’s acknowledgment of Guardiola’s influence adds a layer of intrigue to Arsenal’s resurgence, especially given the competitive rivalry between the two managers’ clubs in recent Premier League seasons. Posts on X echoed this sentiment, with users noting Arteta’s humility in crediting his mentor. One post read, “Arteta credits Guardiola! The Arsenal boss reveals a pre-match phone call before their historic Bernabeu victory. ‘I’m here because of him.’”
As Arsenal gear up for their semi-final clash with PSG on April 29, Arteta remains focused on sustaining the momentum. “We want to keep playing at semi-finals,” he said, acknowledging the challenges ahead but urging his team to savor the moment. “The first thing I thought when the game finished was of my wife and my children because they’ve heard all week about what can happen in this stadium,” Arteta added, revealing the personal pride behind his professional milestone.