Tonight (22.00), in arguably the most important game of his coaching career, Mikel Arteta will lead Arsenal against his former club, Paris Saint-Germain. The Spaniard spent a season in the capital of France as a Barcelona loanee, and his ex-boss at Parc des Princes, Luis Fernandez, recalled the arrival of the then-unknown young prospect and cooperation with him, speaking to RMC Sport.Tradition vs ambition: Two titans and just one ticket for Champions League glory”He needed to toughen up. It was a good way for him to launch his career, instead of staying at Barca and not playing because of the competition. I really liked his style, he had exactly the profile I was looking for in the heart of the game. I wanted midfielders with technical ease and he had that ease. He could turn, direct the play, pass between the lines, progress with the ball and pass it to his teammates in good shape. I’ve always been a fan of this position that Johan Cruyff invented for Pep Guardiola when he was at Barca,” the Frenchman started his story of Arteta.🇪🇸✨ Guardiola, Arteta & Xavi — once upon a time at Barcelona together… pic.twitter.com/nnBvIEUjme— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) August 14, 2023 Speaking of the current Man City boss, Fernandez said Mikel was so similar to Pep that he even earned himself the nickname “little Guardiola.””When you saw Pep playing at Barca, it was a bit of the same style. Arteta was in the same register, as a sentinel in front of the defense. A No. 6 who played like a No. 10. He relieved the defenders with his oriented controls and his ability to turn to play forward. He was a specialist in that,” the 65-year-old claimed.Man City boss Guardiola and his then-assistant Arteta in 2016 (©Reuters/Carl Recine/Gallo Images)Apart from Arteta’s playing skills, Fernandez particularly praised his behaviour off the pitch and his attitude towards his teammates and the club.”We knew he belonged to Barca, a big Spanish club, and we saw him with this simplicity and kindness, whether in the locker room or on the pitch. He never reproached his teammates for anything. He had only one goal: to progress by playing and grow by showing his qualities. He respected the jersey, he loved Paris Saint-Germain. He knew what the club had given him. He was an example at that level. He came with a good mentality to impose himself and achieve great things. He wore the jersey with dignity. Everyone spoke to me about him at the time,” Fernandez said.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Following his spell with the Saints, Arteta moved to Glasgow Rangers, as there was no place for him at Camp Nou. Yet, the Spaniard reached his full potential only when he joined the Premier League sides Everton and later Arsenal.”I think he made a small mistake going to Glasgow, but his talent then shone through at Arsenal. And that made me happy. I told myself that we hadn’t made a mistake in taking him to PSG. But it’s a shame he left. Everyone missed him, we would have liked him to continue with us…” Fernandez argued.Twenty-year-old Arteta with PSG against Lyon in 2002 (©AFP)How will Parc des Princes welcome Arteta was an inevitable topic. If you ask Fernandez, the reception should be as warm as it gets.”I hope he gets a good reception, that we’ll have the opportunity to applaud him and congratulate him on his good time in Paris. He respected the jersey. He has a good attitude. That’s why I ask the fans who come to the Parc not to whistle him. He’s someone who deserves applause. Of course, they won’t be cheering for Arsenal, they’ll whistle them, but I’d like Mikel Arteta to be given a good welcome,” the Frenchman stated.Arteta proposes bigger squads due to injuriesFinally, he disclosed that he would have never imagined Arteta would become a manager, let alone the one fighting for the Premier League title and leading a team in the Champions League semi-finals.”At the time, I would have told you, ‘That kid will never be a manager.’ Because he was someone who listened, who sat down and never said anything. He was really calm, quiet. Sometimes, there are midfielders who raise their voices to put their teammates back in position or encourage them. That wasn’t the case with him. He wasn’t the character I see today on the sidelines with Arsenal. He’s no longer the Arteta I knew in Paris,” Fernandez concluded.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – SEMI-FINALSFirst legTuesday22:00: (2.20) Arsenal (3.50) PSG (3.50)Wednesday22:00: (1.65) Barcelona (4.30) Inter (5.20)***odds are subject to change***
