A brief history of Mikel Arteta

Recent reports that Mikel Arteta is among the favourites for the vacant Arsenal managerial post have angered some fans, who see the former midfielder as inexperienced, but Arteta has in fact seen a lot in his 19 year career. 

The Spaniard was born in San Sebastian, in the Basque Country, and he began his career at Antiguoko, where he became friends with fellow Basque midfielder Xabi Alonso. The pair played together regularly, and dreamed of one day playing together at Real Sociedad, however this dream ended when Arteta was snapped up by Barcelona.

He begand by playing in their C team, but was quickly promoted to Barca B where he played for three years before accepting a loan move to Paris Saint-Germain due to his inability to break into the Barca first team.

He spent a season at a half at PSG, making appearances in the Champions League, and impressed the French side with his playmaking, however they failed to secure him on a permanent deal due to Scottish side Rangers tabling a higher offer.

The Spaniard made the move to the rainy shores of Scotland in 2002 for £6million, becoming a fan favourite in a side that won the domestic treble. Arteta himself believes that the SPL was an important learning experience that helped him when he later moved to the Premier League. "Scottish football was tough, really tough," he said, speaking to 'STV News' in 2012. "It was really physical, people got at you and I had to improve on that a lot. I think I did that to get to the level that the Premier League required of me."

In 2004, Arteta got a move back to boyhood club Real Sociedad, where he almost fulfiled his dream of playing alongside Alonso, however Xabi was sold on to Liverpool. Arteta spent just half a season with Real, making three starts before being loaned and subsequently sold on to Everton.

He spent six seasons at Everton, becoming a key member of David Moyes' side, and scoring 27 goals in his 162 appearances. He was well loved at the club, and there was outcry when he left in 2011 for Arsenal. He then spent five seasons under Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, winning an FA Cup and a Community Shield.

After retiring as a player in 2016, he moved into coaching and took a role under the newly appointed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, where he has worked ever since, winning a domestic double this season.

To summarise, Arteta has plenty going for him when it comes to experience. He has played in Spain, Scotland and France, at some of the biggest clubs in Europe, as well as having 11 years of experience of the English game as a player. He has worked under well-respected managers such as David Moyes, Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola, and has enjoyed great success with the latter.

He knows Arsenal well, and was club captain there during his time. He speaks Spanish, Basque, Catalan and English fluently, as well as bits of French, Italian and Portuguese. As much as there are more experienced managers out there, Arteta is not the rooky some would paint him as.