Mikel Arteta says Mauricio Pochettino was “one of the most influential people” during his lengthy playing career at the top level.
The Spaniard is preparing to face Pochettino for the first time as a manager on Saturday, when high-flying Arsenal, who have built on the success of last season to prove their Premier League title challenge was no fluke, take on a Chelsea side now finding their feet after a sluggish start to the season.
Arteta joined Paris Saint-Germain on loan during the 2001/02 season, joining then centre-back Pochettino in the French capital.
And speaking before their first touchline duel in west London, Arteta revealed the lasting impact that Pochettino had on him during his time in Paris, detailing some of the qualities that have seen the Argentine’s man-management skills widely praised over the years.
“He has been one of the most influential people in my career as a player,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference. “He took me under his wing and he looked after me like a little child. A little brother. He was a big part of the success I had in Paris.
“He has been a role model for me since that day, not only as a player but as a manager as well. He had a big say on that and I will always be grateful for what he has done for me.”
Pochettino returned to the Premier League in the summer after a near four-year absence. The 51-year-old previously managed Arsenal‘s bitter north London rivals, Tottenham, and propelled them into Premier League title contention on a regular basis in addition to reaching the 2019 Champions League final.
His time at the club came to an unsavoury end, owing to a disappointing start to the 2019/20 season, and he was out of football for 14 months before taking over at Paris Saint-Germain in January 2021.
He delivered PSG’s customary Ligue 1 title success but wasn’t able to lead the club to Champions League glory – the measuring stick of success at the club after huge financial investments in the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
Pochettino was out of work again for almost a year before agreeing to take over at Chelsea in May. He is committed to the Blues for at least two seasons, with the option of a third, and has started to turn things around results wise after a disappointing start to 2023/24.
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