Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

5 reasons for Arsenal fans to be optimistic about Mikel Arteta

By LTArsenal

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Coach of Manchester City, Mikel Arteta looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Coach of Manchester City, Mikel Arteta looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 26: Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal captain raises the trophy after their victory during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg at the Emirates Stadium on July 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 26: Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal captain raises the trophy after their victory during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg at the Emirates Stadium on July 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images) /

4. Leadership

One thing that is important to note, right from his early years in north London, is Arteta was always renowned for his leadership qualities. He was made captain for an FA Cup third-round tie in his very first season. The next season, he was subsequently made vice-captain, and following the departure of Thomas Vermaelen in 2014, Arteta was named as club captain.

In a space of three years, he became Arsenal’s captain, enough evidence of his leadership quality. And this is what Wenger said about Arteta’s leadership, speaking to the club’s official website:

"“He is very influential and he’s a leader – one of the leaders of the team and he’s a technical leader as well.”"

He was someone his teammates looked up to, was a supportive and encouraging figure even as his playing time decreased, and always looked for the best in others through his character.

Home/Arsenal All-Time Lists