Mikel Arteta

Published: 18 October, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

ARSENE Wenger might just find one of his players looking over his shoulder on Saturday when he picks his starting line-up to face Norwich.

Mikel Arteta has revealed he is considering a move into management when his playing days are over – even though he believes the job is more stressful than ever.

The midfielder, who was rewarded for his professionalism on the pitch by being named as Arsenal’s vice-captain this season, has been a revelation since joining the club last summer.

And although, at 30, Arteta still has a number of years left before having to think of retirement, he admits he eventually wants to swap the midfield for the technical area.

“It’s a big thing nowadays because it’s really demanding,” he told Arsenal.com.

“I think the job has changed a lot in the last few years. You can see the stress and the responsibility managers have.

“Sometimes people don’t recognise that. To manage a group of players nowadays, with 10 or 15 different countries involved with different personalities, is a difficult thing to do.

“I have thought about it a lot and we will see what happens one day. It’s still early for that decision. Obviously you’re starting to get a few things from different managers and players and a key thing is they can help.

“Sometimes on the pitch, as well, you think about things that can be done better or in a different way.

“And how you play, depending on if you’re winning or drawing and what the team needs to do.”

Arteta worked under David Moyes at Everton and has also thrived with Wenger. The Spaniard’s tactical awareness is one of his strengths but he believes that man-management is just as important in the top job.

“If you have 24 players, every one is different,” he said. “One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen is when you treat everyone the same. People say ‘everyone has to be the same’. They have to be in certain roles, but everyone is different.

“The way you approach someone is very important. If you shout at someone, it depends on their character you may kill him for the next 45 minutes. Sometimes you need to pinch someone because you know he has the character.

“He can involve the rest if he pushes and raises his level in the game. You have to recognise those characters and I think that’s a very difficult part of football management.”