Mikel Arteta has been described as a ‘leader’ by his former Arsenal teammate and Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry.
The 28-year-old Germany international made just 18 first-team appearances for the north London club, when Arteta was vice-captain of the squad before becoming captain ahead of the 2014-15 campaign.
Gnabry has spoken of how the former central midfielder helped him and other young players during the early stages of their Arsenal careers, ahead of his Bayern side facing Arteta’s team on Tuesday in the quarter-final stage of the Champions League.
“He’s now fully absorbed in his role as coach and thinks very strategically,” Gnabry said of Arteta in an interview with Bayern Munich’s website.
Gnabry and Arteta were Arsenal teammates (Michael Regan/Getty Images)
“In my time, he was already an experienced player. He was the captain, a leader who spoke to everyone and communicated a lot.
“He was very helpful to us as young players back then. He built us up, always gave us good tips, always tried to guide us so that we stayed focused and gave everything.”
Gnabry made three appearances for West Bromwich Albion on loan during the 2015-16 season, before joining Werder Bremen permanently the following season — netting 11 goals in his sole season.
After a season on loan at Hoffenheim, he joined Bayern in 2018 and has scored 85 goals for the club and helped them win the Champions League trophy in 2020.
He has suffered an injury-hit campaign this year, being limited to just 16 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals and providing one assist.
Arteta retired from playing in 2016 before becoming assistant coach at Manchester City — a role he held until his appointment as Arsenal manager in December 2019.
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(Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
