Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta revealed in an interview that two sports appealed to him as a teenager. Arteta had to choose between Professional Tennis and football and he decided to settle for football.
Popular sports media Goal interviewed the Spanish coach on box to box as he shared some of his experiences.
Arteta revealed that when he was 14 or 15, he had an option to pursue a professional career in tennis or football. He explained that he settled for football instead, joining the famed La Masia academy at Barcelona.
Playing in La Masia academy
Arteta also shared snippets of his time in La Masia. He told Goal that he shared a room with Andres Iniesta, Victor Valdez and Pepe Reina.
Arteta also revealed what it was like training with Andres Iniesta, explaining that he could already see how good he would be from that age. He said:
“Andres Iniesta was in my bedroom, he was 12, 13 years old. He used to sleep next to me and we could all see his talent. He was so small, still physically not developed but he was phenomenal already at that age.”
Mikel Arteta’s early decision pays off handsomely
Arteta had to choose between Professional Tennis and football and he decided to settle for football. Although he didn’t play professionally for Barcelona’s first team, he did make a success out of his football career. He made his debut at PSG, playing with the likes of Okocha, Pochettino and Ronaldinho. He then went on to play for illustrious clubs like Rangers, Everton and Arsenal before retiring.
After retirement, he spent some time cutting his managerial teeth with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The rest, as they say, is history.
Arteta’s Arsenal vying for the PL and UCL titles
Arsenal are still fighting on two fronts at the tail end of the season. They are currently ahead in the Premier League after defeating Luton at home. They are also into the Quarter finals of the Champion’s League where they face Bayern Munich.
