Sky Sports Premier League Podcast One on One | Arteta on his first dressing room and how it compares to Arsenal's
Oct 1, 2025
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's manager and former midfielder, shares insights from his early days at Barcelona under luminaries like Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique. He discusses the enduring nerves young players face and the importance of mentorship in their development. Arteta highlights the cultural differences between Spain and England regarding youth integration, and stresses the impact of social media on young athletes. He also emphasizes the role of seasoned players as role models and shares his journey in fostering a positive club culture at Arsenal.
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First Dressing Room Memory
- Mikel Arteta recalled joining the Barcelona senior dressing room at 16 and feeling nervous and unsure where to sit.
- Senior players looked after him and helped him settle into the environment quickly.
Empathy For Young Players Matters
- Young players feel the same nerves now as in Arteta's day, so coaches must empathise and recreate comfort.
- Clubs should ensure new academy players immediately feel like they belong in the dressing room.
Guardians At Barcelona
- Arteta names Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique as the senior figures who took him under their wing.
- He credits both for helping him a lot when he first arrived at Barcelona.