Oxlade-Chamberlain praises Arteta as a leader since his playing days.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, former Arsenal player and Liverpool star, surprised no one by stating that Mikel Arteta has always had a natural talent for leadership and management, even while he was still a player. Reflecting on his time in London, Oxlade-Chamberlain revealed fascinating details about how Arteta stood out among his peers, foreshadowing the brilliant career he now enjoys as manager of Arsenal.

Arteta, who has become a prominent figure in the football world following his transition to the sidelines, exhibited traits of a natural leader during his playing days. Oxlade-Chamberlain is not alone in recognizing this; many of Arteta’s former teammates at Arsenal have shared similar sentiments, emphasizing that his management qualities were evident even before he ventured into coaching.

During their time playing together, Oxlade-Chamberlain recalls how Arteta began to impact the team’s preparation in innovative ways, introducing analysis meetings that had previously been non-existent. “He [Arteta] started analysis meetings for us because Arsène comes from a different generation. It was all about us, and if we did what we had to do, we should win,” Oxlade-Chamberlain said. He added: “But when it came time to play against you [Man City] or we had a big game, Mikel was our boss. We wanted to know what they were doing in a corner. Before, we didn’t do that. So, Mikel kind of forced that as a player, for us to start observing the opposition more, whoever it was.”

These statements reveal an Arteta who was not only concerned about the performance of his own team, but also with the detailed analysis of opponents. Arteta’s meticulous approach has helped shape how Arsenal prepares for matches, a legacy that now reflects in his philosophy as a coach. The focus on tactical details, which was once an overlooked characteristic, has become an integral part of the club’s culture under his leadership.

While Arteta has yet to win a league title as a player, his rise as a coach is generating growing optimism among Arsenal fans. There is a strong belief that he can not only lead the club to win the league, but also achieve historic success in the Champions League. His potential to accomplish great feats, recognized since his playing days, now seems more tangible than ever.

With Arsenal competing at a high level, the expectation is that Arteta’s strategic vision and leadership ability can finally translate into trophies, cementing his place as a club legend. Oxlade-Chamberlain, in sharing these memories, is not only looking back at the past, but also envisioning a bright future for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta’s guidance.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.