Mikel Arteta reveals who he believes is the current best manager in the world

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has recently revealed his admiration for Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, hailing him as the best manager in the world. Arteta, who worked under Guardiola as an assistant coach at City before taking charge of Arsenal, spoke highly of his former mentor during the club’s pre-season tour.

When asked by the media about his opinion on the best manager in the world, Arteta didn’t hesitate to name Guardiola. “I always said that for me, he is the best manager in the world,” Arteta stated. “I learned so much when we worked together. He is the one that made me think and feel the game in a completely different way.”

Arteta’s praise for Guardiola comes as no surprise considering their successful partnership at Manchester City. During their time together, City won numerous trophies including two Premier League titles and an FA Cup. Arteta played a crucial role in implementing Guardiola’s tactical philosophy and shaping City into one of Europe’s most dominant teams.

Last season, Arsenal found themselves locked in a fierce title race with Manchester City as they aimed to win their first Premier League title since 2004. The Gunners led the league table for an impressive 10 months but ultimately fell short in their pursuit of glory.

In a crucial game against Nottingham Forest in their 37th game week, Arsenal suffered a defeat that proved costly. This loss saw them relinquish their grip on the top spot and allowed Manchester City to claim the Premier League trophy with 89 points. Despite finishing with an impressive 84 points, Arsenal had to settle for second place.

Reflecting on this season’s outcome, Arteta acknowledged Manchester City’s superiority and credited Guardiola for his impact on his own managerial style. The Spanish coach believes that working alongside Guardiola has transformed his understanding of football and shaped him into a better manager.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, shakes hands with Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, prior to the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on January 27, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty – Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)

Arteta’s admiration for Guardiola extends beyond just their time together at Manchester City. The Arsenal manager has often spoken highly of his former boss, praising his tactical acumen, man-management skills, and ability to get the best out of his players.

As Arteta continues to build his own managerial career at Arsenal, he will undoubtedly draw upon the lessons learned from Guardiola. The influence of his former mentor is evident in the way Arteta sets up his team and approaches games.

While Arsenal may have fallen short in their title bid last season, the club’s fans can take solace in knowing that they have a manager who is constantly striving to improve and learn from the best. With Arteta’s continued development and Guardiola’s influence still resonating within him, Arsenal fans can remain hopeful for a successful future under their talented manager.