I played under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal - tactically he was on another level
Ex-Arsenal defender Cedric Soares says Mikel Arteta is tactically on another level to other managers he's played under.
The Portuguese defender is currently a free agent having left the Gunners in the summer. He was Arteta's second ever signing at Arsenal when he joined from Southampton following a six-month loan.
Cedric was with Arteta through both his highest and lowest points at the Emirates. In 2022, the Spanish manager lost his first three games of the season and his position at the club came under immense scrutiny.
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Five years on, the Gunners are back competing for the Premier League title, with Arteta showing he's one of the best coaches in the world.
Cedric told The Athletic : "Mikel was young too when he arrived at the club. He had his idea but he had to teach a completely new squad about that idea.
"I think, over time, he improved in how he passed over the idea and he also got more experience and adapted the game. It’s not exactly the same idea as five years ago.
“Over time he improved on the man-management as well. I think he has a much closer relationship with the players now. He chose most of them.
"That helps because he believes more in the players and I think the players feel that, so they give it back as well.”
He continued: "Mikel changed the way I see football. I would say it’s on another level tactically. You really have to see the (numerical) advantage. When it is there and when it is not there, it means it is somewhere else on the pitch.
"In that way, I really improved my tactical view of the game and because I worked so long with Mikel I watch the game through his eyes a bit.
"Obviously, I have my ideas, but he teaches you to see it automatically and instinctively because you have to decide quickly on the pitch. He teaches everything.
“Now, when I’m watching a game, I say, ‘Don’t go there because of this or that on the other side’. I’m thinking to myself, ‘That’s Mikel’.”
