Mikel Arteta has been likened to Jose Mourinho for his mind games and tactics (Image: Getty)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his admiration for Jose Mourinho after being compared to his managerial counterpart.
The Spaniard also hinted at the possibility of a debut for another young goalkeeper in Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup tie at Preston.
Furthermore, he confirmed that defenders Gabriel and Jurrien Timber, who both exited the pitch with knocks against Liverpool on Sunday, will be up for selection.
However, Arteta confessed to enjoying keeping opponents and the media “on their toes”, a statement that comes just days after Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher suggested that the Spaniard is gradually transforming into a “slowly morphing into a Jose Mourinho type of manager” following the 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
The former Reds defender commented: “They were 2-1 up, pressing Liverpool, on top and playing really well but they retreated in the second half.”
Arteta, who was at Barcelona from 1997 to 1999 when Mourinho was Louis van Gaal’s assistant, acknowledged the Portuguese as a reference point in his career.
“For sure. I’ve known him since I was 15 years old,” he said. “He coached me. He was in Barcelona. Yeah, he’s won 26 titles. So he’s someone to really admire, the way he’s done it, the way he’s changed the culture in clubs, the way he’s done it in different countries. But I don’t like comparing myself to anybody.”
It’s worth noting that Mourinho was also renowned for his mastery of mind games, often seeking to secure pre-match psychological victories ahead of significant matches.
After fielding Bukayo Saka on Sunday, Arteta confessed that he doesn’t always reveal his pre-match strategies. “That is my job,” he stated.
“I am not going to lie to you, I am not going to say: ‘He’s not fit’ and then I play him, I would never do that but if I am certain or I don’t want to tell you, I will keep you guessing.
Jose Mourinho is currently the manager of Fenerbahce in Turkey (Image: Getty)
“I don’t want to make it easy for anybody. The opponent has to work and think and prepare and make sure they do their homework like I have to. I wish I knew their starting XI, who is on the bench, but I don’t. It is our job to guess and do the work we have to do.”
With No. 2 goalkeeper Neto ineligible for the Carabao Cup after playing in the competition for Bournemouth in August, 16 year old keeper Jack Porter was one of four debutants in the last round win over Bolton.
Arteta also hinted that Tommy Setford, 18, could make his first Arsenal start since joining from the Ajax academy in the summer.
Ahead of the first of four consecutive away matches, the Gunners boss said: “We brought him (Setford) because we know he’s got the qualities we’re looking for with our goalkeeping area. But unfortunately he’s been injured so he hasn’t really played. Let’s see if we play him or not tomorrow.”
William Saliba is back after suspension but Areta reported Riccardo Calafiori will be out “for a few weeks” with his knee injury while captain Martin Odegaard will “hopefully” be back before the next international break following his ankle injury.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1968964/Arsenal-news-Mikel-Arteta-Jose-Mourinho