Mikel Arteta is a former Spanish professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He is currently an assistant coach at the Manchester City Club. During his career he played in such famous European clubs as French PSG, Scottish Rangers, Spanish Real Sociedad, English Everton and Arsenal. As part of the latter, he achieved the greatest success - he won two FA Cups and two England Super Cups.
The midfielder is known for his phenomenal attack game. It is impossible to take the ball from Arteta without a foul. In the Premier League season 2006/07, he was the leader in the list of players against whom fouls were committed (100 per season). Mikel is endowed with creative power and uninterrupted creativity. Thanks to his presence in the composition, the percentage of successful attacks almost doubles.
Biography: early career
Mikel Arteta was born on March 26, 1982 in the city of San Sebastian (in the Basque Country), Spain. He is a graduate of such academies as Antiguoko (from 1994 to 1997) and Barcelona (from 1997 to 1999). Being a member of Antiguoko, he made friends with Xabi Alonso, with whom they played in the midfield, often spent their free time, and dreamed of playing in Real Sociedad. However, in 1997 their fates diverged, Xabi Alonso joined the Sociedad, and Mikel Arteta joined Barcelona B. In the team of youth “Catalans” spent 42 matches and was marked by three goals scored.
Rent a French PSG
In December 2000, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain on a rental basis. For a year and a half, under the leadership of Luis Fernandez, he acted as a playmaker. In the 2000/2001 season, he played for the Parisians in the UEFA Champions League. At the end of the two-year lease, PSG intended to redeem the player, but the Scottish Rangers were ahead of the curve.
Careers at Scottish Rangers
In March 2002, he signed an agreement with the Rangers for £ 6 million. In the debut season in Glasgow, he established himself as a wealthy talented midfielder who is able to turn the game in his direction. The 2002/03 season turned out to be quite successful - Arteta played in 35 matches and scored 5 goals. In the same season, he won three trophies - he won the Scottish Championship, League Cup and the Scottish Cup.
The second season for the “Rangers” was also successful, albeit without trophies - Mikel Arteta played 33 matches and scored 9 goals. After two seasons in Glasgow, the footballer returned to Spain, where he signed a contract with Real Sociedad.
Season at Real Sociedad
In 2004, the “blue and white” bought Arteta for 5.2 million euros. Here he was reunited with his old friend Xabi Alonso, but not for long. Soon Alonso signed a contract with the English Liverpool. As part of the “royal” club, he spent only 15 matches, in which he marked one goal. The player failed to gain a foothold in the base, and soon he was leased to Everton.
Career at Everton English
The Spaniard joined the David Moyes team as a substitute for Danish footballer Thomas Gravisen, who moved to Real Madrid. Mikel Arteta played an important role in the “toffee”, thereby helping the team get into the Champions League - “Everton” took 4th place in the Premier League. The debut goal came at the Crystal Palace, the then match ended with a score of 4-0. In July 2005, the "scouts" bought the Spaniard for 2 million pounds. Arteta played here until 2011, during which time he spent 174 matches and became the author of 28 goals.
