Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his gratitude to Pep Guardiola, considering him the reason for everything he has achieved in his coaching career, including advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Arsenal won both legs of the tie, 5-1 on aggregate, to advance to the Champions League semi-finals for the third time in their history and set up a meeting with Paris Saint-Germain.
Speaking after the match, Arteta revealed the communication between him and Guardiola: “I called Guardiola on the morning of the match because we are here because of him.”
He added, “He was one of my biggest inspirations as a player and a coach. I spent some wonderful years with him, and I will always be grateful to him.”
Regarding Real Madrid’s progress, the Spanish coach said, “We are not only proud of reaching the semi-finals for the third time in our history, but also of the way we did it.”
He concluded, “Not only the way we’ve risen, but also the circumstances and the number of injuries we’re currently suffering from, which has shown the character of this team.”
Arteta began his career as Guardiola’s assistant coach at Manchester City before taking over at the Gunners in 2020, succeeding Unai Emery.
