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.
Continued in comments…
Q. I have known you for more than 20 years, and you are not like that: you almost never smile in the band! Do you carry so much tension inside?
R. I am focused and involved in the game, aware of what should happen on the field. Maybe with age I relax more [laughs].
Q. In the Premier each game is a battle. Do you see yourself training 20 more years?
R. I don’t know what will happen, but I enjoy my day to day, training. I love my players and the environment we have created at the club. I get up very early every day and I swear I want to go to work in my stomach. We have made a great group and we know the direction to reach the finish line.
Q. Did you see yourself winning the Premier at some point?
A. In many moments. The team gave me arguments and we had a connection with the people. It was believed in it. But when we started to have injuries, I felt that it was going to cost us. The level of demand could not be maintained. If you want to win the Premier against City, you have to get to April-May with all the players available and at their best. And we, due to injuries, did not get to that.
Q. It was a young, inexperienced team.
A. We were a good mix of experience and youth. The more experienced ones were models for the boys. And then, we have been lucky enough to take a generation from the Academy with a lot of potential, and we have been able to develop their talent so that the team has harmony. They have fun, they compete and that will lead us to win.
Q. Your ‘gem’ is Saka. If she was on the market, would she cost more than 100 million?
A. I have no idea. There are the little machines that you enter all the data and variables… and they give you the price. Saka is very good and very consistent. His performance and his numbers at 21 are crazy. He is very hungry, he wants to improve and he has an ideal environment to achieve it. If he had to choose something, it would be his ability to win games, and not many have that. Also with Martinelli, Gabriel [Jesus] or Odegaard.
Q. How did you make Odegaard a star?
R. I think it is his merit. His self-demand is brutal, he understands everything very well and learns quickly. We help him by giving him responsibility and confidence by making him a captain. I explained it to him: ‘With this will come more demands and your ability to transmit will be the key. Be you,’ I told him. Martin is very reserved, but when he speaks, he is heard. He does everything required: he takes care of himself; he cares and improves others; he has education, love for the game, commitment… And he has believed that he has to play closer to the area: touch it less and reach more. His numbers are very good: the interior with the most goals in the history of the Premier along with Lampard. And he can still improve at 24 years old.
Q. Is Declan Rice so good that Arsenal consider buying him for more than 100 million euros?
R. I can’t talk about players who are not in the club. I prefer not to say anything.
Havertz? Kai has already shown a lot, including a Champions League. He is a talented player, versatile and only 24 years old.Q. In other words, we didn’t even talk about the signing of Havertz…
A. Talent comes at a price, and at Arsenal we are always interested in youngsters with experience. I repeat, I’m not talking about players from other clubs, but in the case of Kai he has already shown a lot, including a Champions League. He is a talented player, versatile and only 24 years old.
Q. It seems that Arsenal pays a lot of attention to Man City players. Because?
R. Easy, because they are very good, I know them and I trained them for four years. Both Gabriel Jesus and Zinchenko beat me from the human side, in addition to their mentality and talent.
Q. This summer they will also have money to invest. That is key.
R. We have already regenerated the squad, with a very young average and to generate performance and value. We have some owners aligned with us: build a winning team that is sustained over time, without so much investment. But the demand is increasing and you have to go to the market to find what we don’t have to continue improving.
Q. It is believed that City is the one that invests the most year after year. But it’s not true. In fact, even Arsenal have been number one in spending in some season. What does that tell you?
A. It depends on what is evaluated: net worth or investment in one year, in three or in 10 years? Or that you also value salaries. The investment point is one and the revaluation perhaps matters more: how much is a player you buy worth in ‘x’ years. There is investment with yield and revaluation. That is our strategy to sustain ourselves.
Q. Summary: is it possible to win the Premier 23-24?
R. If not, I would not be sitting here. That is our ambition. We know the difficulty: it is the best League in the world and next season is going to be the most difficult League in the history of the Premier. Because? Last year it already was. I’ve been here for 22 years and I’ve never seen a competitive level like that. So much quality, so much organization, so many resources, such good coaches… and now Pochettino and Iraola have arrived. The level is that and to win the Premier you must be the best. That is why it has to be strengthened.
Q. To win the Premier, do you need to play well or is this debate not in England at all?
R. No, there is no such debate here. I want to play in the best way with the idea we have. A few days it will be around here; others, over there; but the rival must be subdued. The Premier penalizes you as soon as you make a mistake. Playing well here is not having it much. There are a thousand other things you must master. Not valid with possession.
Q. Are you still surprised that the stadium chants your name?
R. We all like to be praised and identify with what we do. Above all, I want the ‘Gunners’ fans to have fun and play every ball with us, to feel like one more in the goal of winning.
Q. Did PSG offer you this summer? This newspaper is aware that this was the case.
R. I can only say that I am happy at Arsenal. I feel loved, valued by our owners, Stan and Josh [the two Kroenkes], and I have a lot to do here at this club. I am happy and tremendously grateful to be at Arsenal.
Q. Is it a coincidence that there are four Basque coaches in the Premier next season? Julen Lopetegui (Wolves), Unay Emery (Villa), Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth) and you.
R. I don’t think it’s casual. We will have some common pattern. I don’t know if it’s because the Basque character connects well with the English, the style, the way of being, our seriousness…
Spain is my country, I've been away for many years and it could be an option one day, but now I feel happy and valued at ArsenalQ. Do you get along with everyone?
R. Yes, with Iraola I was even a partner in Antiguoko, when we were 13-14 years old. He was a midfielder and I was an inside right. I already knew that Andoni wanted to go out and I’m not surprised that he comes to the Premier. Happy for him. 25 years ago we were teammates and now… in the Premier.
Q. How did you see the last League? Do you have time to watch games?
R. Of course, especially those at night, which catch me better. Also, my kids watch it a lot. There is always football on TV.
Q. Do you like Xavi Hernández?
R. I’ve known him since we played together at Barça. Only knowing his character and what he feels about the game made it clear that Barça needed a figure like him. He has been able to withstand the pressure and has always been faithful to his ideas, defending the club and the players. The team has been very reliable all year.
Q. Would you coach Barcelona or Real Madrid… if one day you see yourself out of Arsenal?
A. Spain is my country. I have been away for many years and at some point it could be an option to return to the League and have other experiences. But now…
Q. One last one. Do you think you can already admit that he is a better coach than he was as a player?
R. Ugh, difficult. I’ve only been in this for four years and my goal is to be the best in the world, but not on an absolute personal level, but to be the best manager in the world for Arsenal, to help these players and this club to be the best. Play better than anyone… and be able to win.