Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has credited Pep Guardiola for the role he played in shaping his coaching career, following the Gunners’ 2–1 win over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg.
“If I’m here, it’s thanks to Pep Guardiola,” Arteta said after the match. “I called him this morning. I will always be grateful to him.”
The result at the Santiago Bernabéu sealed a 5–1 aggregate victory for Arsenal, sending them into their first Champions League semifinal since 2009. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for the visitors in the second half, making up for an earlier missed penalty. Although Real Madrid responded through Vinícius Jr., Gabriel Martinelli struck deep into stoppage time to secure the win.
Arteta, who spent three years as Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City from 2016 to 2019, has often acknowledged the influence of his former mentor. During their time together, they won multiple Premier League titles and developed a strong tactical partnership that has shaped Arteta’s own managerial philosophy.
After the match, Arteta also shared a respectful moment with Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, who wished him luck in the upcoming semifinal clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
Reflecting on his team’s performance, Arteta highlighted the contributions of Declan Rice and praised the maturity shown by the squad. He also commended Mikel Merino’s role in controlling the midfield and emphasized the resilience his players displayed throughout the tie.
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