Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has taken on a prestigious new role with Under Armour, becoming the American sportswear giant’s Global Ambassador and Director of Performance, according to the Standard’s Simon Collings.
The move marks a significant step in the brand’s bid to expand its presence in football and aligns with Arteta’s growing influence as both a tactical leader and a global sports innovator.
Under the partnership, Arteta will work closely with Under Armour to drive innovation in product development, talent identification, and leadership initiatives.
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A central part of his role will involve spearheading the brand’s Under Armour Next programme, an initiative launched in 2023 to support young athletes aged 16 to 20. The programme provides access to elite facilities, professional coaching, and unique experiences, with over 10,000 players tested so far and 18 securing contracts with the brand.
🚨 OFFICIAL:
Mikel Arteta joins Under Armour as a Global Ambassador. 🇪🇸
The Spaniard will become the Director of Performance at Under Armour. 🤝
He said: “This collaboration is the perfect opportunity for me to work with a partner committed to making young athletes better.” pic.twitter.com/ZZ3iwFLNdQ
— Eduardo Hagn (@EduardoHagn) August 12, 2025
“Bringing Mikel on-board will revolutionise our football business and demonstrates how serious we are about leading the next generation of football,” said Under Armour founder and CEO Kevin Plank. He hailed Arteta’s “elite tactical mind” and “ability to inspire and disrupt” as perfect complements to the brand’s upcoming Be The Problem campaign, which launches Friday.
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Arteta, who has transformed Arsenal into Premier League title contenders since taking charge in 2019, expressed his excitement: “The collaboration with Under Armour is the perfect opportunity for me to work with a partner committed to making young athletes better.
“I’m passionate about providing a platform for the next generation of players, and the talent already signed with the brand shows that they are too. Our values in pursuing greatness are closely aligned, and together, I’m confident we’re going to achieve great things in football.”
Renowned for developing young stars such as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, Arteta is seen as a natural fit for a role focused on youth development. His forward-thinking coaching style, which blends tactical precision with cultural transformation, has been credited with revitalising Arsenal’s identity.
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