At a Glance:
Jose Mourinho’s brilliant prediction about Arsenal in 2020.
Mourinho always rated Mikel Arteta highly.
Arteta could surpass Jose Mourinho as a Premier League legend.
Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger’s rivalry is the stuff of legends as the managerial greats never seemed to see eye to eye when Chelsea and Arsenal were going head-to-head with each other.
Wenger won two, drew seven and lost 10 out of his 19 games against Mourinho, which highlights how one-sided the feud was in the Portuguese legend’s favour.
Jose Mourinho even went toe-to-toe with Mikel Arteta thrice, triumphing in two matches and losing one.
Jose Mourinho’s clashes against Mikel Arteta Competition
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Arsenal Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Arsenal Premier League
Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur Premier League
All statistics correct as of 14/05/2026
However, since then, Mikel Arteta has changed Arsenal’s fortunes and turned them into one of the best teams in the world.
Mourinho’s wins against Arteta emerged when the Gunners were initially struggling under the Spaniard’s regime. However, Arsenal could win the double this season if they lift the Premier League and the Champions League.
Jose Mourinho predicted Mikel Arteta’s success at Arsenal in 2020
After Tottenham Hotspur beat Arsenal 2-0 in December 2020, Jose Mourinho initially told Sky Sports via Football Daily that he imagines Mikel Arteta will be slated for his side’s defeat and struggles at the time.
“I can imagine the headlines tomorrow being about them not being in a good position on the table.”
However, Jose Mourinho confidently claimed that Arsenal’s glory days will return due to Mikel Arteta’s presence coupled with the players at his disposal.
🗣 "Sometimes you don't do what you want to do because your opponent forces you in a certain direction. With Mikel Arsenal will be Arsenal again"
Jose Mourinho explains why Tottenham couldn't play the way they wanted to pic.twitter.com/QXPiP4sYy2
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) December 6, 2020
“But I believe with Mikel, Arsenal will be Arsenal again.”
Mikel Arteta could surpass Jose Mourinho in the Premier League
Considering one of the game’s greatest-ever managers in Jose Mourinho came out in support of the much-maligned Mikel Arteta at the time would have meant the world to the Arsenal boss. While Arteta may take years to reach Mourinho’s heights, he could surpass the 63-year-old in the Premier League.
Winning the Premier League and the Champions League would be a start as Mourinho never accomplished such a feat at Chelsea.
If Arteta manages to match Jose Mourinho’s three league titles on top of winning the double, he could well be considered a bigger Premier League great than the veteran.
Srinivas Sadhanand
Srinivas Sadhanand is a writer for Read Arsenal and Read Man City, with over eight years of experience as a sports journalist. He has worked for established companies such as GRV Media, The Economic Times, Urban Pitch and Sportskeeda among several others. From interview athletes to writing detailed tactical pieces and covering the impact streetwear and music in football, he has many strings to his bow as a journalist. Being a lifelong Manchester City fan, he specialises in writing about them and the Premier League in particular. Away from the desk, he loves watching European football, cricket, films, listening to music and exploring new foods.
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