• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Jose Mourinho was the only man to back Mikel Arteta in 2020 and his comments have aged perfectly

Home> Football

Published 17:24 16 Jan 2023 GMT

Jose Mourinho was the only man to back Mikel Arteta in 2020 and his comments have aged perfectly

Mourinho saw something special.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

Jose Mourinho once backed Mikel Arteta when he was at his lowest low as Arsenal manager - it makes for fascinating reading.

The Gunners moved eight points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League on Sunday afternoon following a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal are seeing their faith in Arteta, who had a tricky start to life in the Emirates Stadium dugout, pay off massively.

Advert

His appointment in 2019 confused fans and pundits alike at the time, given his lack of experience. The Spaniard had spent three years as Pep Guardiola's assistant at City but had yet to take a full manager's job since retiring from playing.

Despite winning the FA Cup in his debut campaign, Arsenal are yet to finish in the top four under Arteta. Things were at their lowest in his first full season in charge, coming eighth in 20/21. Arsenal lost 13 games that season, one of which came against Mourinho's Spurs side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Goals from Heung-min Son and Harry Kane were enough to seal victory for a Spurs side who weren't troubled by their bitter rivals at all.

Advert

Mourinho took some time out of his post-match interview to pay tribute to Arteta, however, who was in the firing line.

Arteta wasn't always a popular figure at the Emirates Stadium. (Image
Alamy)

"I want to give good words and congratulations to Mikel because he gave us a very difficult game," Mourinho declared per the Daily Mirror.

"Tactically, they are very good, they were very well organised, they were building with four, defending with five. Then in the second half, they tried to find triangles on the side and they gave us problems, problems that we managed to resolve because the players in this moment have good tactical culture.

Advert

"And even above that, they have an incredible spirit, but they gave us problems because they are a good team and he (Arteta) is a good coach. But we deserved to win, I guess, because of two amazing goals.

Mourinho won the game, but knew Arteta would be a top coach someday. (Image
Alamy)

"I can imagine tomorrow there, that the headlines will be about them not being in a good position on the table. But I believe with these players, with Mikel, Arsenal will be Arsenal again."

Little did we know Mourinho would be proven right two years later. Arsenal's team are now a perfect personification of Arteta's methods, young and willing to buy into his tactics.

Advert

They return to action against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon in a massive first-versus-fourth showdown.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Jose Mourinho, Premier League

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

X

@DanMarland_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

4 hours ago
7 hours ago
8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • 4 hours ago

    FIFA has banned five football kits for life that you'll never see again

    Club World Cup finalists Chelsea and PSG have been hit by FIFA’s ban on sleeve advertising rule

    Football
  • 7 hours ago

    Xabi Alonso has found the next Florian Wirtz for Real Madrid without spending anything

    The new Real Madrid boss may have uncovered a gem in the squad who could be the next Florian Wirtz.

    Football
  • 8 hours ago

    Chelsea set their asking price for Nicolas Jackson as shock club register interest and it looks like a typo

    Enzo Maresca has named his price to sell Nicolas Jackson this summer, amid links to a European giant.

    Football
  • 9 hours ago

    Rodrygo has already told Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea which club he wants to play for next season

    The Brazilian star has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid this summer.

    Football
  • Ex-Man Utd star who was 'knocked out by Roy Keane' after defeat now set to join Mikel Arteta at Arsenal
  • Jose Mourinho has only witnessed 'fans score a goal' once in his 24-year managerial career
  • Mikel Arteta reveals Arsenal's next target after Mikel Merino in pointed transfer message
  • Mikel Arteta rages about William Saliba penalty incident and confirms Arsenal have 'lost' one player in bombshell post-match interview