Mikel Arteta has said he has learned ‘a lot from all the top coaches’ as he looks for Arsenal to become adaptable.
Arsenal have boasted the best defensive record in the Premier League in each of the last two seasons and were praised for their performance with 10 men against Manchester City last weekend.
The Gunners earned a 2-2 draw with the Premier League champions, despite having a man disadvantage for the entire second half. Arsenal’s new-found defensive strength under Arteta and his preference for a physically powerful backline have earned the Spaniard comparisons to former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho led Chelsea to the Premier League title in 2004/05 with a record low of 15 goals conceded and Arteta was asked whether he had taken inspiration from the ‘Special One’.
“You learn a lot from all the top coaches and you try to understand why they’ve been successful and what really touches that team that makes it special and consistent, especially at this level, and the amount of games we play,” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference, ahead of facing Bolton in the Carabao Cup.
“You might have an idea of where the game will go, but if it goes in a different direction, do you have the ability to adapt and be happy to play that game. Because that is the level we are in.”
Arteta says Arsenal must ‘love’ defending
Arteta discussed his team’s desire to battle on Sunday and said it is important that Arsenal ‘love’ defending to earn results.
“It’s something we have to instal in them because without that you can never play with that level of concentration, focus and discipline for that long, in that context if you don’t love it. Somehow you have to love it, if not you start to miss bits, spaces start to break and you get punished.”
