Arsenal manager makes revealing Rangers confession as he speaks up about his Ibrox decision, which he admits was incorrect.
Mikel Arteta has spoken out about his decision to sign for Rangers, believing it was one of the best of his career – but leaving Ibrox for a return to Spain was a terrible mistake. The current Arsenal manager became a fan favourite during his time as a kid in Govan after joining from European heavyweights Barcelona in March 2002 for about £6 million. He arrived following an outstanding loan spell at Paris Saint-Germain and went on to win the league and cup double in his first season at the club.
Prior to joining Rangers, Arteta admitted he wanted to sign for the French giants permanently, but PSG and Barcelona were unable to strike an agreement, allowing the Light Blues to plan a quick transfer swoop.
The former midfield player thought back on how the atmosphere at Ibrox had amazed him during a European match he had played in. Thus, despite the fact that living in Scotland was a culture shock for him in terms of football, Arteta acknowledges that he jumped at the possibility when he received an offer from Rangers. He believes, nonetheless, that the need to adjust fast to new situations improved him as a player. Arteta stated on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I had a year and a half there (in Paris).” Everything went really smoothly. I had to make an early call since I wanted to stay there, but Barcelona couldn’t come to an arrangement. After our UEF Cup match versus Rangers.I witnessed it for the first time – I went there and said ‘wow, I’ve never seen an atmosphere like this. Look how passionate these people are.
“They came in for me straight away after that game. I said maybe it’s an opportunity, my only condition is that we have to reunite my family. I said I think we’ve been split up for a while, it’s time we get together. Let’s go to Glasgow, a different experience. My sister got a job at the BBC and we all moved there.
It was a very difficult game of entirely different football. In that situation, you have to either live or die. I experienced a fantastic club, an enthralling setting, a magnificent city, and games that I will never forget. Other realms become accessible. When I went there, it felt like a whole other universe.
“Scottish manager Alex McLeish has entirely different approaches and ideals. He had a separate conversation regarding the game. I accepted that I would have to adjust to the situation and traveled to stadia in Scotland, where the surface, style, and weather are all extremely different. Positive things have a different worth. I found it to be incredibly healthful as well. That improved the player. After agreeing to join his local club, Real Sociedad, Arteta lived in Glasgow for two years before returning home. He acknowledges that he felt bad about moving to the La Liga team at the time and that he made the incorrect decision.
“It was a really difficult decision for me,” Arteta revealed. “I’m in Glasgow and when I’m about to finish the second season, I was clear I needed to leave. I needed a new challenge. I wanted to come to the Premier League or go somewhere else. It was great, but it was enough. That phase was done.
“I recently learned that my parents are divorcing. I felt terrible, but I wasn’t sure if it was because I was trying to follow my ambition of traveling to Glasgow, Paris, Barcelona, or any other city. I take a lot of responsibility for that. Real Sociedad knocked on the door a month later and said, “We want you.” I never thought that was the appropriate decision from a sports standpoint. Although I never thought moving back to Spain was the correct decision, I felt obligated to do so in order to reunite with my parents and family. And this, in my opinion, was the ideal chance to accomplish it. It needs to happen when I go there. We were quite near.
I was too immature to comprehend the workings of a relationship. It was a catastrophe. That was never the way it worked. I never once had a sense of connection.
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