Mikel Arteta signed for Rangers from Barcelona. (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
Mikel Arteta signed for Rangers from Barcelona. (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
Mikel Arteta should have returned to Barcelona or signed for Real Madrid instead of Rangers, claims a former teammate.
The current Arsenal boss moved to Ibrox from the Camp Nou in 2002 after impressing on loan at Paris Saint-Germain, joining the French side as a fresh-faced 18-year-old.
He would go on to become a Gunners star via spells at Real Sociedad and Everton but not before becoming a favourite of the Gers support with his all-action displays in the middle of the park, married with brilliant technique and a goal threat.
Across two seasons, he would play 68 times and contribute 14 goals, earning the Ibrox side £4.5million when he headed back to Spain in 2004.
But such was his impact at PSG, a teammate during that campaign reckons the Spaniard should have immediately gone to the top after the loan stint.
While he would go on to become a Premier League star, Jerome Alonzo was baffled Arteta didn't straight away play for one of the world's top teams after strutting his stuff in the French top flight.
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The former goalkeeper says he envisioned the young talent either heading back to Barcelona as his loan ended or signing for Real Madrid or Chelsea.
So it was a surprise to see him plump for Rangers and Alonzo says a huge void was left in the Parisian midfield after Arteta's departure.
Speaking to The Athletic ahead of Arteta's arsenal side taking on PSG in the Champions League, the shotstopper said: “When he left the team, wow, the midfield was empty without him.
“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?’
“I’m sure like always, like a chess player, he knew before everyone what he wanted to do next.”