Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was full of emotion and humility after guiding his team past Real Madrid to reach the Champions League semi-finals.
Despite the intense recent rivalry with Manchester City in the Premier League, Arteta showed grace and gratitude by acknowledging Pep Guardiola’s influence on his coaching journey.
Following the Gunners’ 2-1 win over Real Madrid at the Bernabéu – and a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory – Arteta praised his players for a remarkable performance against the reigning champions. But he also made a point of thanking the man who gave him his start in management.

In his post-match comments, Arteta revealed that he had called Pep Guardiola earlier in the day to express his gratitude. Arteta, said, “I called him (Guardiola) this morning because I am here thanks to him. As a player and a coach he has been an inspiration to me. I had four amazing years with him, and I will always be grateful to him.”
Arteta spent three and a half years as Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City before taking on the managerial role at Arsenal in 2019. That apprenticeship under one of the modern game’s greatest tacticians helped lay the foundation for his own journey in the dugout.
Against Real Madrid, Arsenal started brightly, soaking up early pressure from the home side. They were awarded a penalty after a lengthy VAR check, but Thibaut Courtois denied Bukayo Saka from the spot, keeping the game level.
In the second half, Real Madrid pushed harder, with Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Junior both coming close. Arsenal, however, remained composed and struck first. In the 65th minute, a slick attacking move was capped by Saka, who chipped Courtois with a composed finish.
As the match entered stoppage time, Gabriel Martinelli added Arsenal’s second of the night, taking advantage of a Madrid defensive lapse. That goal came just minutes after William Saliba’s rare mistake had allowed Vinícius Junior to pull one back for Los Blancos.
In the end, Arsenal’s tactical discipline, clinical finishing, and team spirit carried them through. And for Mikel Arteta, it was not just a personal milestone, but a moment to reflect on the mentors and decisions that shaped his path.
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