Mikel Arteta
Who is Mikel Arteta?
Mikel Arteta Amatriain, commonly known as Mikel Arteta, was born on 26 March 1982. Arteta is currently the coach of the English club Arsenal.
In December 2019, Mikel was appointed manager at the London club, signing a contract until 2023.
In January 2020, the Spanish tactician won his first game as Gunners boss after a 2–0 victory over Man United at the Emirates Stadium.
In July 2020, the London club beat Man City 2–0 in the FA Cup semi-final, leading the Gunners to their fourth FA Cup final in seven years and Mikel’s first as a coach.
The Gunners went on to win the final 2–1 over Chelsea for a record 14th victory, making the Spanish manager the first person to win the FA Cup as both captain and coach of Arsenal.
In August, Mikel won his second title as a coach after the London club beat Liverpool 5–4 on penalties in the FA Community Shield. In September, Mikel Arteta’s role was changed from head coach to manager.
On 14 March 2021, the Spanish coach claimed his first victory in the North London derby in a 2–1 victory.
In the Europa League, Arteta led the London club to the semi-finals, in which they lost 2–1 on aggregate to Villarreal.
All you need to know about Mikel Arteta’s football career
Born in San Sebastian, Mikel began his senior career at Barcelona in 1999, but limited game time led to a loan move to PSG in 2001.
Arteta then signed for Rangers, winning the double of the Scottish Premier League and League Cup in his debut campaign.
Mikel joined Real Sociedad for €5.2m in 2004 with the idea being that the midfielder and Xabi Alonso could play together.
However, Xabi Alonso left for Liverpool, and Mikel failed to establish himself in the club, starting just three league games in the half-campaign the midfielder spent back in San Sebastian. Mikel joined Everton on loan in 2005.
Arteta later signed permanently. Mikel represented Spain through several youth sides but never played for the senior national team.
The Spanish midfielder signed with Arsenal in summer 2011 on a four-year contract for a reported fee of £10m.
Arteta played his debut game in September in a 1–0 home victory over Swansea and scored his first Premier League goal for the Gunners in a 4–3 loss with Blackburn Rovers.
Mikel captained the London club for the FA Cup final at Wembley, leading them to a 3–2 victory over Hull and receiving his first major honour in English football.
Arteta won his first title as full-time captain, playing the whole game as the Gunners beat Man City 3–0 in the 2014 FA Community Shield.
