Mikel Arteta's multilingualism impressed reporters ahead of Arsenal's Champions League clash against Inter Milan, as he responded to questions in fluent Italian. The Spaniard's playing career taught him multiple languages, and he feels it's "always better" to speak them.
It's not just Italian that Arteta can speak, given he was born in San Sebastian and grew up trilingual. He spent the majority of his playing career in the United Kingdom at Rangers in Scotland and with Everton and Arsenal in England.
Arteta spoke to the media ahead of the Gunners' encounter with Inter at the San Siro tonight (January 20th). He took some Italian journalists by surprise when he spoke their native language despite never playing or managing in the country.
Arsenal Boss Arteta Can Speak Seven Languages
Bukayo Saka and Mikel Arteta
Bukayo Saka and Mikel Arteta
Arteta had answered several questions in Italian, which prompted a reporter to ask him how he had learned Italian. He responded (via the club's website): "I have a lot of Italian friends. It's a culture that I have always liked a lot. If I can speak another language, it’s always better."
Arsenal fans needn't worry about Arteta potentially preparing for a job in Serie A as this is just one of seven languages he can speak. He grew up trilingual in Basque, Spanish, and Catalan, which allowed him to learn Italian, and this has been beneficial when coaching.
Arteta explained seven languages during an interview with Sky Sports' Saturday Social back in October 2020:
"Six or seven and Scottish as well. Basque, from my region in Spain; Spanish, English, and French because I played for PSG and had to learn there. Portuguese because I have had some Portuguese speakers throughout my career that have become really close friends, and I build relationships, and you need a language in order to do that. Italian because I love the culture and the language, and I put effort in to that. Catalan aswell because I used to go to school there."
Riccardo Calafiori may have adapted to life in England more easily, as he can communicate in Italian with Arteta. His playing time in France with Paris Saint-Germain means he can also speak French to Gunners defender William Saliba.
Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Magalhaes are two Brazilians in his squad whose first language is Portuguese. They will also benefit from their manager's ability to speak in their language, and as he highlights, communication is key.
'You Can't Be Happy' - Arteta on Language Acquisition
Arteta
Arteta has earned praise during his Arsenal spell for his man-management skills and the ability to get his team to believe in his coaching methods. He is extremely well-spoken in interviews and press conferences, and his communication allows him to connect deeply with his players.
The 43-year-old touched on this during an interview with Sky Sports:
"I don't think you can be happy when you don't have the capacity or the ability to communicate with people. You don't really get to understand people deeply and to build relationships, and that puts you in a dark place. You don't feel like you belong there. So I promised myself that wherever I go, I will speak the language as quickly as possible."
Arteta will be hoping his communication skills continue to pay dividends as his side remains in four competitions. They sit top of the Premier League with a seven-point lead over second-placed Manchester City and are top of the Champions League standings ahead of their clash with Inter.