By Happypal 
Mikel Arteta has offered a rare and intimate insight into the influence of Arsène Wenger on his managerial approach, revealing that the legendary former Arsenal manager remains a guiding voice in his decision-making process. As Arsenal continue their push for silverware this season, Arteta admitted he often reflects on Wenger’s philosophy, leadership style, and emotional intelligence when faced with difficult moments.
In a season brimming with expectation and pressure, Arteta’s acknowledgement of Wenger’s imprint adds a fascinating layer to the narrative of Arsenal’s resurgence — a resurgence built on identity, culture, and a standard set long before Arteta ever stepped into the technical area.
Wenger’s Shadow Still Casts Light on Arteta’s Journey
Arteta has never hidden his admiration for the French manager who brought him to Arsenal as a player in 2011. But his latest reflections add clarity to how deeply Wenger still shapes his managerial instincts.
“There are moments when I stop and think, ‘How would Arsène Wenger approach this?’” Arteta explained. “He had this ability to see beyond the moment — to understand people, to stay calm, and to always think about what was best for Arsenal, not just the immediate result.”
These sentiments echo the enduring legacy Wenger left not only on Arsenal, but on English football. During his 22-year tenure, he transformed the club’s identity, introduced new standards of professionalism, and helped cultivate the modern footballing landscape.
For Arteta, those lessons are not nostalgic memories — they are active tools.
A Manager Navigating Modern Pressures
Arsenal’s season has demanded creativity, resilience, and tactical evolution. Injuries, squad rotation, and the pressure of title ambitions have tested Arteta’s adaptability. Yet he insists that Wenger’s guiding principles — patience, clarity, bravery in possession — continue to ground him.
“Wenger’s calmness was incredible,” Arteta said. “He could be under the biggest pressure, and he’d still think with clarity. I try to recall that in the tough moments.”
Arteta’s Arsenal, much like Wenger’s best sides, aim to dominate possession, play with attacking expression, and nurture young talent. However, Arteta’s version brings a modern edge: structured pressing, tactical flexibility, and data-driven adjustments.
The North London Derby: A Test of Identity
As Arsenal prepare to face Tottenham, Arteta’s comments arrive at a symbolic moment. The North London Derby is not just another fixture — it is an emotional, cultural, and tactical battle. Wenger understood the significance of this match better than anyone; for years it defined Arsenal’s season.
Arteta embraces that legacy while adding his own competitive fire.
“These games demand bravery,” he said. “Arsenal have always stood for that.”
Under his leadership, Arsenal have restored their pride in the derby, playing with conviction and tactical sharpness. This weekend’s clash promises intensity, storylines, and the kind of emotional weight that Wenger mastered — and Arteta continues to study.
How Wenger Has Shaped Arteta’s Communication Style
Beyond tactics, Arteta credits Wenger for teaching him the value of communication. During his playing days, Arteta witnessed how Wenger treated players with respect while still demanding the highest standards.
“His conversations with players could change careers,” Arteta reflected. “He understood emotions, when to push, and when to give space.”
Arteta has adopted that approach with Arsenal’s young stars — guiding them with honesty, clarity, and long-term belief.
Players like Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, William Saliba, and Martin Ødegaard have all spoken about Arteta’s ability to challenge them without breaking their confidence — a trait Wenger often praised in Arteta during his playing days.
Building on a Foundation Wenger Created
Arsenal’s current resurgence is not a coincidence. Many fans and analysts believe Arteta’s success is built on foundations Wenger laid years before: faith in youth, commitment to attacking football, and a culture of dignity and ambition.
Arteta is not trying to replicate Wenger — he is modernising the club while cherishing its deepest values. His acknowledgment of Wenger’s influence reinforces the continuity Arsenal fans cherish: past excellence guiding present ambition.
A Modern Rivalry Wenger Helped Shape
Arteta enters this North London Derby knowing that much of the rivalry’s modern intensity was forged under Wenger. Memorable battles against Tottenham shaped Arsenal’s identity under his leadership. Arteta now stands in the same fire, armed with Wenger’s teachings but forging his own path.
Fans feel the connection.
Supporters often chant Wenger’s name during big fixtures, and Arteta’s open admiration strengthens that emotional bridge between eras.
Arsenal’s Current Ambition: A Wenger-Inspired Push for Trophies
Arteta insists he is focused on winning — not nostalgia — but admits that Wenger’s long-term vision still influences every trophy chase.
“He always looked at the bigger picture,” Arteta said. “He knew what winning meant, not just for the club but for the people.”
Arsenal remain contenders across competitions this season, and Arteta’s calm-but-ambitious leadership style mirrors the values Wenger instilled.
The Arteta–Wenger Lineage: A Legacy of Leadership
From his playing days as Arsenal’s captain to his management career today, Arteta stands as the closest heir to Wenger’s footballing belief system. Their philosophies share DNA: intelligence, discipline, ambition, and emotional control.
Yet Arteta is not simply inheriting Wenger’s legacy — he is redefining it for a new generation, in a new era, with new pressures.
Final Thought: Two Eras, One Vision
Mikel Arteta’s confession — that he looks to Wenger’s example in key moments — is more than a sentimental nod. It is the clearest sign yet that Arsenal’s identity, once fractured, has been restored.
Two eras, one vision.
Wenger built it.
Arteta is advancing it.
Together, they frame Arsenal’s past, present, and future.
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