Key Points
- Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Everton manager David Moyes have traded high praise ahead of their upcoming Premier League fixture at the Emirates Stadium.
- Mikel Arteta spent six-and-a-half years playing under David Moyes at Everton after signing for the Merseyside club in January 2005.
- Mikel Arteta described David Moyes as a managerial figure everyone looks up to, praising both his longevity and his character off the touchline.
- David Moyes defended Mikel Arteta against past media skepticism, dismissing early criticism of the Arsenal manager’s record as “a load of rubbish”.
- David Moyes reflected on Mikel Arteta’s tactical development, questioning what elements the Spaniard incorporated from his time under Moyes versus Pep Guardiola.
- The Arsenal manager transitioned from his playing career at Everton to Arsenal under Arsène Wenger, before entering management following a spell as assistant coach at Manchester City.
Arsenal (North London News) October 24, 2026 – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has publicly expressed his deep respect for Everton manager David Moyes, crediting the Scottish manager with providing the foundation for his establishment in English football. Ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League fixture against Everton at the Emirates Stadium, both managers reflected on their shared history and mutual professional admiration.
Arteta originally moved to English football in January 2005 when Moyes signed him for Everton from Real Sociedad. Over a six-and-a-half-year spell on Merseyside, Arteta established himself as one of the most technical central midfielders in the top flight, eventually earning a transfer to Arsenal in August 2011. At Arsenal, the Spanish midfielder played under legendary manager Arsène Wenger, who entrusted him with the club captaincy and a central role in the squad until his retirement in 2016. Following his playing career, Arteta served as an assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City before returning to North London to take charge of Arsenal in December 2019.
What Did Mikel Arteta Say About David Moyes Ahead of the Everton Clash?
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta praised the Everton manager for his longevity, personal character, and ongoing contribution to the English game.
As reported by reporter Sub-Editor of Punch, Arteta stated:
“100%; I don’t know if it’s the king or what it is, but he’s certainly someone that I think we all look up to. Not only for his longevity, but I think what he represents for the game, what he represents for the Premier League, and his trajectory. For me especially, because I know the man behind the coach, which is the most important thing, and then I really know as well the coach, and he’s a superb coach.”
Arteta further emphasised that his past experiences at Everton allowed him to understand the intrinsic identity and competitive spirit of the club, warning his Arsenal side that the upcoming match would present a stern examination.
How Did David Moyes Respond to Past Criticism of Mikel Arteta?
In his matching press conference, Everton manager David Moyes reflected on his former midfielder’s managerial rise and took aim at early media skepticism regarding Arteta’s credentials.
As reported by journalist James Westwood of Goal.com, Moyes addressed early doubts surrounding Arteta’s record by stating:
“What a load of rubbish! He’s playing against the best teams in the Champions League. He’s right up there with the best managers in the world at the moment.”
Moyes also considered how Arteta’s managerial identity evolved through working alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City versus what was instilled during his time as a player at Everton.
As reported by staff writers of Football Ecology, Moyes pondered:
“I always look and I think: ‘Mikel has had Pep, what would he take from me?’ I don’t really know. I know how Pep works, how good his teams are and what he’s seen… But there’s a lot of other stuff like having a winning culture and a winning team.”
Moyes added that he hoped the foundational standards of player management, team culture, and daily demands from his Everton era remained part of Arteta’s approach.
What Is the Background to Mikel Arteta’s Development Under Moyes and Wenger?
Mikel Arteta’s arrival in English football occurred during a crucial period of his career. After developing through Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, and featuring for Paris Saint-Germain, Rangers, and Real Sociedad, his transfer to Everton under David Moyes in 2005 provided him with regular playing time and a key role in central midfield. Under Moyes’ guidance, Everton routinely challenged for European qualification, including a fourth-place Premier League finish in the 2004–05 season. Arteta made over 200 appearances for the Toffees, winning the club’s Player of the Season award twice.
In August 2011, Arsène Wenger signed Arteta for Arsenal. Wenger utilised Arteta’s tactical intelligence and positioning in a deeper midfield role. During his five-year tenure as an Arsenal player, Arteta won two FA Cups and two FA Community Shields, frequently serving as the on-field lieutenant for Wenger’s tactical setup.
When Wenger departed Arsenal in 2018, Arteta was considered for the head coaching role before Unai Emery was appointed. Arteta continued his coaching development as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, contributing to two Premier League title victories, an FA Cup, and two EFL Cups, before taking over the head coaching position at Arsenal in December 2019.
How Could This Development Affect Premier League Supporters and Managers?
The tactical and personal relationship between David Moyes and Mikel Arteta highlights the long-term impact of managerial mentorship in elite football.
For Arsenal and Everton supporters, this fixture underscores how player development under experienced managers like Moyes and Wenger directly shapes the modern Premier League managerial landscape. As younger coaches who played under established figures take over top-flight clubs, football audiences can observe direct tactical and cultural influences passed down across different generations of management. Furthermore, the continued competition between former mentors and players maintains high narrative interest and analytical focus for broader football media and fans.
