Arsene Wenger discussed the leader responsible for the final that awaits Arsenal in Europe in a conversation with UEFA.
The former manager of the Gunners is hailed as the individual who transformed the club into a leading modern institution in the sport. They reached the Champions League every year for two decades, advancing to the semi-final in 2009 and the final in 2006, losing 2-1 against Barcelona.
But the steady decline in competitiveness caught up with the iconic figure, who left the dugout in 2018. Unai Emery was quickly cycled out of the role, and the board eventually backed Mikel Arteta for the longer term. The Basque boss built a solid, stable unit that has reached the quarter-final in all three years of being back in the tournament, culminating in a run to the final this year. Now, the team have the chance to banish the demons of 2006 by building on top of their Premier League conquest.
·‘Arsenal have slowly built a history that now allows them to win it’
Arteta worked with Wenger between 2011 and 2016, becoming club captain. The Frenchman feels the signs were clear to see that he could grow into such a leadership role, recognising his development.
“I think Arsenal have slowly built a history that now allows them to win it.
“When I arrived at Arsenal , the club had very little Champions League history. Then we had 20 consecutive years of qualification, and now the crown of that history would be to become champions.
“I think Arsenal have slowly built a history that now allows them to win it. I also feel the time has come for Arsenal to dominate the Premier League consistently. I’m very keen to see Arsenal play in the final and I’m convinced we will have a great game.
“[Mikel] was a player who was highly focused, motivated, interested in team play and very football-obsessed, like many Spanish players are. Midfielders especially often love this job because they are at the centre of offensive and defensive problems.
“Overall, top-level players are intelligent and many of them have the ingredients to become managers. Arteta had total commitment. I named him captain because he was always very serious.
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“He had injury problems, especially with his calves, and sometimes when players are away from the game they realise how much they love it and want to stay in it. He had personality, strong beliefs and authority, and that certainly helps him a lot now.
“Players always know what the problems of a team are — they do not always tell you, but they know. He had the character to talk about it, and then he decided to do his coaching licences. Many players fail because they do not take time to learn the job, but he did.
“He became the Pep Guardiola assistant, which was a great experience for him. He learned a lot quickly because he’s intelligent. He experienced football first as a player and then from the inside as an assistant manager without having the full responsibility, and that helps a lot.”