Mikel Arteta Says His Arsenal Success Is Thanks to Pep Guardiola: Reveals First Meeting With His “Hero” at Age 15

Mikel Arteta Says His Arsenal Success Is Thanks to Pep Guardiola After First Meeting His “Hero” at Age 15

Mikel Arteta has opened up about the profound influence Pep Guardiola has had on his career, revealing that his success at Arsenal is deeply rooted in a relationship that began when he was just 15 years old.

Arteta, who joined Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy in 1997, met Guardiola—then a superstar midfielder in Barça’s first team—shortly after arriving. That early admiration eventually grew into one of modern football’s most defining mentor-student relationships.

A Bond Formed at La Masia

Arteta spent two years in Barcelona’s academy system before featuring for the club’s B team from 1999 to 2002. During that period, Guardiola wasn’t just a senior player—he was Arteta’s idol.

Their paths diverged as Arteta built a career across Rangers, Real Sociedad, Everton, and finally Arsenal. But in 2016, shortly after retiring, the two reunited when Guardiola invited him to join Manchester City’s coaching staff. Together, they won multiple Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and helped establish one of the most dominant teams in English football history.

“If I’m in This Chair Today, It’s Thanks to Him”

Arteta told Sky Sports just how much Guardiola shaped his managerial rise:

“Someone I met when I was 15 years old. He was my hero as a player. We ended up working together and having one of the best times of my life. If I’m sitting in the chair that I’m sitting in today, it’s big thanks to him.”

Arteta explained that joining Guardiola at City was a natural decision because of their shared footballing philosophy rooted in Barcelona’s teachings.

“He gave me the choice—without coaching anybody—to go straight to his staff. One of the best decisions I made in my life.”

Guardiola vs. Arteta: A New Premier League Rivalry

Fast-forward to today, and the master and apprentice are once again competing—this time for Premier League supremacy. After a rare trophyless campaign last season, Manchester City look revitalized in the 2025–26 season and appear ready to challenge Arsenal for the title.

Former City and Arsenal striker Paul Dickov believes Guardiola remains a force:

He says the hunger inside the club is back, the squad is strong, and with key players like Rodri yet to fully return, City will only get better as the season progresses. Dickov predicts that if Guardiola’s side stay close to Arsenal by February, they could “kick on” and reclaim silverware.

A Respectful Rivalry Built on Shared Principles

Arteta’s Arsenal now embody many of the tactical traits he learned under Guardiola—possession dominance, structured pressing, and positional fluidity.

But while the two share a footballing DNA, Arteta is forging his own legacy, turning Arsenal into consistent title contenders and reshaping the club’s identity.

Yet even in rivalry, Arteta remains clear:
His journey to the top would have looked very different without Guardiola’s influence.