Athletic Club manager Ernesto Valverde has offered glowing praise for Arsenal’s head coach Mikel Arteta, firmly placing him among the very best managers in the world right now. Valverde, a highly respected figure in Spanish football himself, acknowledged that Arteta has not only transformed Arsenal into a formidable force in England but has also stamped his own unique philosophy on the team. To him, Arsenal’s current identity is inseparable from Arteta’s influence, and that makes them one of the most difficult sides to face in modern football.
In his comments, Valverde underlined the difficulty opponents face when coming up against Arsenal. He explained that the London side under Arteta does not allow teams to breathe or dictate the tempo. Instead, they relentlessly press every ball, challenge in every duel, and force rivals into uncomfortable situations across the pitch. This approach has become a trademark of Arsenal’s game, making them not only hard to beat but also exhausting to compete against for ninety minutes. It is a style that demands total commitment from the players and tactical intelligence from the manager — and Arteta, according to Valverde, has mastered both.
Valverde also highlighted that what makes Arteta stand out is his clarity of vision. Every movement on the pitch — whether in attack, defense, or transition — reflects a system that has been carefully drilled into the squad. The intensity with which Arsenal plays is not by chance; it is the product of meticulous preparation, relentless training, and a manager who demands the highest standards. For Valverde, this shows that Arteta’s leadership goes beyond tactics — he has instilled belief, resilience, and hunger into his players, shaping them into one of Europe’s most complete teams.
Furthermore, Valverde suggested that Arteta’s Arsenal is more than just a talented group of individuals. It is a collective unit bound by discipline, energy, and purpose. This “stamp,” as he described it, is Arteta’s hallmark — a clear indicator that Arsenal has moved into a new era. Whereas in the past the club struggled for consistency, today they embody an identity of dominance, control, and tactical sharpness. For Valverde, only the very best coaches in football history are capable of imprinting such a recognizable style on their teams.
Ultimately, Valverde’s words reflect a growing consensus across Europe: Mikel Arteta is no longer just a promising young manager learning on the job. He has matured into one of the elite minds of modern football, capable of shaping matches at the highest level. Arsenal’s rise under his stewardship — from challengers to serious contenders — has been nothing short of remarkable, and Valverde believes that this is only the beginning of what Arteta can achieve with the Gunners.
