As Arsenal prepares to host PSG in a crucial Champions League matchup on Tuesday, manager Mikel Arteta took a moment to reminisce about his time at the French club during the 2001-2002 season.
A Memorable Stint in Paris
Arteta spent the season on loan at Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona, immersing himself in a unique blend of talent and culture. He vividly recalls the pivotal moment that changed his career: “We were in Barcelona when we got the phone call: ‘You need to pack your bags and fly to Paris. Now.’ You look at those names [at PSG] and think: ‘Are they sure?'”
During his loan, he had the opportunity to play alongside football legends like Ronaldinho, Jay-Jay Okocha, Nicolas Anelka, Mauricio Pochettino, and Gabriel Heinze. Reflecting on this time, Arteta described the experience as “unbelievable,” underscoring the remarkable talents that surrounded him.
Arteta had hoped to extend his stay in Paris but was unable to do so due to contractual obligations with Barcelona: “I wanted to stay there [after the loan], but I was owned by Barcelona and they couldn’t find an agreement.”
Shaping His Career
The experience at PSG significantly shaped Arteta’s aspirations as both a player and a manager. “It’s an experience that will stay with me forever, that shaped who I wanted to be as a player and ignited in me something to become a manager. They protected me like a son. It was the perfect environment,” he reflected.
Arsenal’s Champions League Aspirations
Arsenal enters this match unbeaten this season, buoyed by a late win against Leicester City that improved the team’s morale after a 2-2 draw with Manchester City. Arteta is keen to secure his first Champions League victory after a disappointing 0-0 draw against Atalanta in their opening match.
With a talented squad at his disposal, Arteta understands the importance of competing on European nights and is eager to lead Arsenal to success against PSG. The upcoming clash not only presents a chance to gain momentum in the tournament but also offers Arteta an opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned during his time in Paris.