Mikel Arteta: "In many moments, I did see myself as the winner of the Premier League"

Not the best translation but:

Mikel Arteta Amatriain meets us at Castillo Son Vida, in Mallorca, where he spends a few (half) relaxing days at his house on the island. We've known each other for 20 years and his relationship with MARCA deserved this reflection after a great season for Arsenal.

Second place in the Premier, plus an FA Cup and a Community, are not Mikel's only achievements, which, since his arrival, has revalued the 'gunner' squad by 369 million euros. Arsenal have reached a total market value of 976 million, 366 more than 12 months ago and 369 more in the Arteta era. Saka (valued at 120 kilos now); Odegard (90); or Gabriel Martinelli (80) are examples of this 'gunner' recapitalization with Mikel.

Question. It was a grueling season. What does the Arsenal coach do on his vacation?

answeR. Above all, rest to disconnect from work and connect with our families. It is the only time of the year to be with them for real: with my three children, my wife, parents, friends... although my children are crazy about football and the ball always rolls around in my house.

Q. That's ideal, but... do you get it, do you disconnect?

R. At first, it costs. You come from a lot of tension and lowering the heart rate takes a while. The phone keeps ringing, that's clear, because things happen in summer. The first week I got a little more detached, but we are already in the middle of the market and decisions have to be made.

Q. Have you seen football?

R. I have seen some international football and I have enjoyed the National Team title, but we have also looked at ourselves. See games, situations, to rescue things that we must maintain and things that we must improve, including me.

Q. How have you recovered the winning spirit of Arsenal in these three and a half seasons that you have been there?

R. This started three years ago. I was Pep's assistant at City, we played against Arsenal and I saw that the soul of the club had been lost. It was not enjoyed, it was not felt. I knew that there was the option of, shortly after, being on the other bench and I knew that this club is so big that you had to connect the team with the fans. It has been hard to do and undo... and now I feel happy. We have a clear identity, there is union and we are full of energy. That's the biggest. From top to bottom, they all push in the same direction. We give the fan something to dream about and be proud of. And now, you have to earn more.

Q. The Wenger era was very long, and that created triumphs, but also entrenched defects. Had he detected what was wrong with him?

R. It was very clear. I drew a tree and its roots, and said that the problem was ours. All that had to be cured, and cured with people who got involved. Without it, there would be no public entertainment.

Q. Let's go back to last season. Was fighting for the Premier against City a feat or was it just winning it?

R. The feat was to win it. This is Arsenal and the level of demand is high. To this day, it still hurts me deeply not having won the Premier after spending 10 months fighting with City. But that's the sport. That said, what has been achieved with such a young team [Arsenal had the youngest squad in the Premier] is worthwhile. That is clear to me too.

Q. What was missing to win?

A. Many things. Those three draws in a row that we had [Pool, West Ham and Soton] penalized us, and all the misfortunes that happened [two comebacks going two up]. There were three or four injuries to important players and from there, everything got complicated. When we had the full team, we were consistent. As soon as problems came, it didn't reach us. And then our rival was the best team in the world; the best squad in the world; the best coach in the world... We had no choice but to accept it and shake hands with the champion.

Q. For you, there is no doubt: Pep is the best?

A. Without a doubt. He is the best at everything. Management; convince the group of your idea; drag everyone; bring out the best in them; decision making before and during the match; that the message does not expire... Pep is a genius.

 City is the best team in the world, with the best squad in the world and the best coach in the world; pep is a genius

Q. Do you think that City is Guardiola's best work?

R. It is not fair to compare. Each work had its brilliance, and this City is incredible, because it is beautiful to see, it is a different team and it was adapted to the players, who are the protagonists at the end of the day. And, in addition, he wins titles, of course.

Q. I remember that, at the end of the last game against City (4-1), I saw that you did not greet him very effusively. Do they have a good relationship?

R. Great, three days ago I spoke with Pep. But we are both very winning, competitive, and when we are there in the ring, we are very focused. But we are confident enough for that to happen and the next day call us and give him a hug. That will never go away.

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