Arsenal: Mikel Arteta pays tribute to Pep Guardiola

Europe 24 May 2026 at 09:41

Joshua SOSSOU

News Editor

This Sunday, Pep Guardiola will coach his final match on the Manchester City bench against Aston Villa. Well before that, Mikel Arteta paid tribute to him.

Mikel Arteta, former assistant to Guardiola at the Skyblues, made sure to honor his former mentor.

"The first word that comes to mind is 'gratitude.' Guardiola has been an inspiration. I spent four years with him—probably the four best years of my career, a new experience as an assistant coach. I think he changed the league, he raised the standards, the way people understand football. For me, he is the greatest coach of all time. As an opponent, it has been... a nightmare," the former midfielder told Canal +.

"Even today, he is still just as methodical, just as meticulous, and I knew we would have to achieve something truly special to beat him," he added.

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