The new
Arsenal manager was on a sharp learning curve after he joined City’s coaching staff in 2016 and his competitive spirit in training now takes a back seat to his analytical mind
Mikel Arteta and
Pep Guardiola always kept in touch (after their time together as players at Barcelona), and Arteta lived in the same neighbourhood as Pep’s brother, Pere, when he was based in
London with Arsenal. When Barça drew
Chelsea in the
Champions League in 2012, Pep picked up the phone to pick his old friend’s brain about their opponent. Impressed by Arteta’s critical analysis, Pep made a mental note to seek his advice more often.
In the 2015-16 season Pep’s Bayern Munich played Arsenal in the Champions League and Arteta got a chance to talk to Pep in the players’ zone after the game.