02 Oct 2025 15:24:56
Wenger on Arteta in Oct 2015

Mikel has a huge influence even when he is not playing, ” Wenger said. “He is super conscientious, and every morning two hours before training he prepares and that is absolutely right.

“Just through his behaviour, his focus on getting everything right in the team, he has a huge influence. He has great experience and is respected throughout the squad.

“I really hope Mikel considers going into coaching. When you manage, you want to see your players continue and see them give their experience and knowledge back.

“You want them to give their expertise of the way we want to play football and the way we want to behave. It would be great if someone like Mikel went into management, so somewhere the spirit of our game can survive through the players who have played for us.

“But at the moment I must say Mikel is still here as a football player. The first thing in life, when you sign the contract you have to give absolutely everything to the job you have signed for and I think he does that very well.

“He has the quality to be a manager in the future I’m sure, but at the moment he gives his focus on the job as a player and gives absolutely everything.

Wenger knew.

1.) 02 Oct 2025
02 Oct 2025 16:55:46
This is what Eze said about Arteta this week.

Eberechi Eze says that Mikel Arteta is already making him a better player:

“I’ve only just started at Arsenal and I feel like I’m being pushed and my mind is being stretched, and for me that’s where I want to be. I want to live in that place of getting it but not getting it and being able to work and operate but also be myself.

“That is where you want to live and I want to know that I am consistently improving if that is the case. Mikel just considers details that you are just not.
He sees me out on the training pitch and says something that I haven’t even thought about or considered, and the moment I apply it and put it in to practice I realise the difference it makes. That’s the type of person you want to work with because you are going to get the best out of yourself. ”

Add to that what Saliba has just said about him.

“The boss is one of the best coaches in the world. He has helped me a lot, him and his staff, so I'm so happy to have them as a coach. I'm 24 now, and I think I haven’t reached my peak. I have a lot of things to improve, a lot of things to give to this team, and I know that the coach and the staff will help me to become the best, or one of the best, defenders in the world and win trophies. ”

A far better gauge than quoting old has beens and TV pundits.