Kieran Gibbs stated that he always knew that Mikel Arteta would become a coach when he played alongside his former captain at Arsenal, as he told ESPN.
The former left-back, who came through Arsenal’s academy, added that no one had the passion of the thriving coach, who is sitting at the top of the Premier League table.
When Arteta hung up his boots, he headed straight back to the training pitch and started working alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Despite having no past experience as a first-team manager, Arsenal, who had just sacked Unai Emery, decided to appoint Pep Guardiola’s right-hand man.
Whilst there have been many bumps in the road, in a few months time, the student might just dethrone his teacher and help the Gunners become champions of England once more.
If that happens, then it would be a remarkable story, but Gibbs isn’t surprised by what he is seeing.
“I don’t think it’s surprised me as most people because I knew Mikel from when I played with him,” said Gibbs. “After watching the documentary, it was a good insight into what he is trying to build there.
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“I think with the players they had and have. They always had the quality to produce. It was just about consistency. I think that’s what we are seeing now.
“He (Arteta) has just got that extra bit of passion for the game. He is always talking about the game. He just lives and breathes it. All players do, but he was extra special with that. You can always tell he was going to go into management.”
ARTETA V DYCHE
The recently-appointed Everton boss was pitted against Arteta in his first game in charge last month and he put all three points on the board.
That started a three-game blip from the Gunners, but they have recovered since then, including beating Leicester City 1-0 over the weekend, with Tim Sherwood labelling Arsenal’s £159k-a-week boss as ‘very clever’.
But Wednesday night’s clash against the Toffees is the most important of the lot because, it’s their game in hand, and it allows them to open up a five-point lead at the top.
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