Arsenal Players

General Information

Mikel Arteta (born March 26, 1982) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder, most notably for Everton and Arsenal. Renowned for his technical intelligence, leadership qualities, and composed passing style, Arteta built a respected playing career in England’s Premier League before transitioning into management.

Early Life and Youth Career
Arteta was born in San Sebastián, Spain, and joined the youth academy of local side Antiguoko before being recruited into FC Barcelona’s famed La Masia system. At La Masia, he developed his tactical awareness and ball-playing abilities, excelling as a creative midfielder. Though he did not make a senior appearance for Barcelona, his grounding at the academy shaped his vision and understanding of the game.

Paris Saint-Germain (loan, 2000–2002)
In search of first-team opportunities, Arteta moved to Paris Saint-Germain on loan. Playing alongside the likes of Ronaldinho, he gained valuable experience in a competitive environment. While he was not a regular starter, the spell gave him exposure to European football at a high level and demonstrated his potential to succeed abroad.

Rangers (2002–2004)
Arteta’s next move was to Scottish giants Rangers, where he established himself as a reliable and composed midfielder. He played a key role in the 2002–03 season, helping the club secure a domestic treble of the Scottish Premier League, Scottish Cup, and League Cup. His ability to control games from midfield and convert penalties made him a valuable asset. Injuries, however, affected his consistency, and he left Rangers in 2004.

Real Sociedad (2004–2005)
Returning to Spain, Arteta signed for Real Sociedad. His time at the club was short-lived, as he struggled to break into the first team on a consistent basis. This period, though difficult, paved the way for the defining chapter of his career in England.

Everton (2005–2011)
In January 2005, Arteta joined Everton on loan, later making the move permanent. At Goodison Park, he blossomed into one of the Premier League’s most intelligent midfielders. Arteta became the heartbeat of Everton’s midfield, known for his precise passing, vision, and composure under pressure.

He won Everton’s Player of the Season award twice and was a fan favourite for his commitment and consistency. Injuries occasionally disrupted his momentum, but he remained a central figure in David Moyes’ side, helping Everton qualify for European competition and regularly challenge the league’s top sides.

Arsenal (2011–2016)
In August 2011, Arteta signed for Arsenal on transfer deadline day, brought in by Arsène Wenger to add leadership and control to midfield. Over the next five seasons, he played 150 matches for the Gunners, captaining the side in his later years.

Arteta helped Arsenal end their nine-year trophy drought, lifting the FA Cup in 2014 and 2015, as well as the Community Shield. While not the quickest or most physically dominant midfielder, his tactical awareness and ability to dictate tempo made him an invaluable presence.

Persistent injuries limited his playing time in his final seasons, and he retired from professional football in 2016 at the age of 34.

Playing Style
Arteta was a central midfielder known for his intelligence, calmness in possession, and leadership. He excelled as a deep-lying playmaker, distributing the ball with precision and organising his teammates. His set-piece delivery and penalty-taking ability were also important assets. Though not the most athletic, he compensated with positioning, technique, and game management.

International Career
Despite his quality, Arteta never represented Spain at senior level, largely due to competition from world-class midfielders such as Xavi, Iniesta, and Xabi Alonso. He did, however, represent Spain at youth level, including at Under-16 and Under-21 tournaments.

Legacy as a Player
Mikel Arteta is remembered as a classy midfielder whose professionalism and intelligence stood out throughout his career. At Everton, he became one of the club’s most popular players of the Premier League era, while at Arsenal, he provided leadership during a transitional period and played a key role in ending the club’s trophy drought.

His playing career laid the foundation for his future in management, where his tactical nous and leadership qualities would flourish even further.