The only way that Rangers could look across the Channel and sign players from Paris Saint Germain now would be if they were sending out a talented youngster on loan.
It seems like a lifetime ago, however, after Arsenal faced PSG for a place in the Champions League final, it is impossible not to look at Mikel Arteta’s career and wonder how he ended up in Scotland.
As a young hopeful at Barcelona, Arteta was shipped out on loan to PSG where he would face another ex-Ger on his debut in Rino Gattuso for AC Milan before becoming a key figure in midfield.
Despite players like Jay-Jay Okocha and Ronaldinho featuring in their starting XI, it was Arteta’s absence that was most sorely felt when he left.
This is according to former PSG keeper Jerome Alonzo, who has told The Athletic just how influential the young Spaniard was before he joined Rangers.
Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
Rangers move for Mikel Arteta was a surprise for PSG teammate
Reflecting on how quickly Arteta settled in France, Alonzo always felt that the Spanish youth cap was destined for the top, not Govan:
“When he left the team, wow, the midfield was empty without him,” said Alonzo.
“You could feel it and he was only 18 as he was running all game. When a player so young leaves a hole like that, you knew he would have a great career. I remember saying to myself: ‘If he goes back to Barcelona, Real Madrid or Chelsea, OK, but Rangers?’
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“I’m sure like always, like a chess player, he knew before everyone what he wanted to do next.”
Did Arteta reach the top?
Arteta captained both Everton and Arsenal during his peak years and can count himself unfortunate to have been playing his best football when Spain had, arguably, the best midfield of all time.
What didn’t help his cause, is that none of them ever seemed to be injured either.
That Cesc Fabregas was also either played out of position or had to make do with a place on the bench, says it all about one of the most gifted generations.
International honours might have been sparse, however, Arteta still speaks fondly of his time at Rangers and how the demands both mentally and physically made him the player that he became.
Arteta was worth the £6m gamble that Alex McLeish took and he repaid every penny in a very memorable way.
His final day penalty against Dunfermline will also ensure that he will never be forgotten by those of a Light Blue persuasion.