Jose Mourinho's declaration regarding Mikel Arteta continues to rings true
Jose Mourinho sitting down
Jose Mourinho's verdict of Mikel Arteta has proven to be correct(Image: Getty Images)
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Arsenal's recent form epitomises the twists and turns of a Premier League title race. It was only a month ago when the Gunners were already being crowned as the champions-elect by many, with a faltering Manchester City providing the only realistic challenge to finally ending their 22-year title drought.
However, a shock home loss to Manchester United and two draws in their next four games, including a two-goal lead slipping at bottom side Wolves, meant serious questions were raised about whether Mikel Arteta and his squad can handle the pressure.
A north London derby at Tottenham beckoned on Sunday in the ultimate test of Arsenal's title credentials, and one they passed with flying colours. In what was a dominant 4-1 victory over their struggling rivals, the Gunners not only restored their five-point lead at the top of the table, but once again proved Jose Mourinho right.
The Portuguese manager has long believed in the project at the Emirates and knew it was only a matter of time before Arteta would lead the club to the top of English football - even during their tough times.
In December 2020, Spurs - then coached by Mourinho - earned a two-goal victory over their north London rivals, a result that kept Tottenham top of the table and Arsenal a lowly 15th.
The result heaped increasing pressure on Arteta, who later stabilised Arsenal's form in order to clinch a seventh-placed finish that season - one place ahead of Spurs, who had sacked Mourinho in April.
Fast forward to 2026 and Arsenal's victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium not only shows the gulf in class between the two clubs, but also the long-term project Mourinho believed would result in success.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after beating Tottenham
Since joining Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has turned the team into one of the best in Europe
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It was after Spurs' 2-0 win against their rivals that the ex-Chelsea boss showered praise on Arteta and vocalised his declaration about their bright future. "I want to give good words and congratulations to Mikel because he gave us a very difficult game," Mourinho said.
"Tactically, they are very good, they were very well organised, they were building with four, defending with five. Then in the second half, they tried to find triangles on the side and they gave us problems, problems that we managed to resolve because the players in this moment have good tactical culture.
"And even above that, they have an incredible spirit, but they gave us problems because they are a good team and he (Arteta) is a good coach. But we deserved to win, I guess, because two amazing goals."
Mourinho continued: "I can imagine tomorrow there, that the headlines will be about them not being in a good position on the table. But I believe with this players, with Mikel, Arsenal will be Arsenal again."
While there's likely still shocks yet come, with City in position to claim the title if they win all of their games including against Arsenal, there's no denying the influence Arteta has had over five years on.
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