Arteta and Southgate’s Shadow: A Mirror at Arsenal
The Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has seen his career compared to that of Pep Guardiola, and more recently, to that of José Mourinho. However, there is a figure that emerges as a closer benchmark in the path of the gunner coach: Gareth Southgate.
The connection with Guardiola is natural, a product of a friendship that dates back to 1997. Arteta was trained in the Barcelona youth academy and then worked under Guardiola’s direction at Manchester City. The similarity in their vision of football was inevitable. The comparison with Mourinho is more recent, a reflection of Arsenal’s transformation into a solid team, based on a staunch defense.
But it’s Arteta’s situation in 2025-26 that presents a notable parallel with Southgate at Euro 2024. Both took the reins of teams in crisis, restored their culture and credibility on the most important stage, and were on the verge of winning the trophy that their fans long for. The key question is: Will the team that Arteta has transformed into a dominant force be able to seize the moment and lift a title?
Can Arsenal cope without Martin Ødegaard?Southgate’s season at Euro 2024, despite reaching the final, ended in defeat against Spain. The criticism of England’s style of play, accusing it of being conservative, recalls the criticism Arteta received after Arsenal’s defeats against Liverpool and the draw against Manchester City. Arteta’s ability to respond to these criticisms will be crucial in determining whether Arsenal can win their first Premier League title since 2004.
Southgate, like Arteta, inherited a team in crisis. Southgate took over an England that had suffered one of the worst defeats in its history, losing against Iceland in the Euro 2016. Arteta arrived at Arsenal in December 2019, with the club struggling to emerge from the shadow of Arsène Wenger. The dressing room was fractured and the fans disconnected from the team.
Both coaches have implemented innovations. Southgate took England to a training camp with the Royal Marines, while Arteta sought advice from RAF fighter pilots to improve his players’ communication. Arteta’s triumph in the 2020 FA Cup gave him the authority to rebuild the team, in the same way that reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup validated Southgate’s methods.From cultural reconstruction to opportunities missed due to the title, Arsenal strikingly resembles the English national team. Will Mikel Arteta be able to take the final step that eluded Gareth Southgate?Southgate sought to break down the barriers between the team and the fans, encouraging players to accept public scrutiny. Arteta has also focused on youth, promoting the development of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, among others.
Arteta has taken ideas from other sports, such as the All Blacks and LA Rams coach Sean McVay. Arsenal’s improvement in set-piece plays has been remarkable, becoming a defining aspect of the team.Hutchison: Arsenal are starting to learn how to play with GyökeresArsenal, like Southgate’s England, faces the need to balance defensive solidity with offensive creativity. Arteta, like Southgate, must decide how to utilize the offensive talent at his disposal. The key for Arteta could be boldness and the ability to take risks, Arsenal seems ready to take that step forward.
The selection of Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice, and Mikel Merino in midfield, although solid, drew criticism. The inclusion of players like Eberechi Eze could be an indication of greater offensive ambition on Arteta’s part. Like Southgate, Arteta faces the need to find the perfect combination to unleash his team’s creativity.
There are positive signs in this regard for Arteta. There is a better structure in Arsenal’s game. Arteta seems to have learned from the matches against Liverpool and City, and the change in the team’s approach was evident in the victory against Newcastle. Arteta, like Southgate, must learn from history, but also embrace risk to make the most of his team’s potential. Arteta’s season will define whether Arsenal can win their first Premier League title since 2004.
