152 Games Played with Arteta at Arsenal: A Candid Perspective on Our Relationship
Mikel Arteta’s former Everton teammate, Tim Howard, has provided a revealing insight into his friendship with the Arsenal manager. Howard, who played 152 games alongside Arteta during their time at Everton from 2007 to 2011, shared that the man Arteta has become at the Gunners is different from the friend he once knew. In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Howard disclosed that whenever he interviews Arteta now, he is unrecognizable compared to his playing days.
Howard explained that before the cameras start rolling, Arteta is just like the old days. He calls Howard “Timmy,” and they share a lot of smiles and giggles. The atmosphere is casual and reminiscent of their time in the dressing room. However, as soon as the interview begins, Arteta switches into game-mode and transforms into the person he wants to portray as a manager. This transformation surprised Howard, stating, “That’s not my friend. That’s Mikel the manager. He has changed.”
Arteta’s journey to becoming Arsenal’s manager began during his six-year stint at Everton. Initially on loan, Arteta signed a permanent deal worth £2 million to play under David Moyes. It was at Goodison Park that Arteta blossomed into a pivotal and influential player, winning Everton Player of the Season twice. He was even voted the Premier League’s ‘Midfielder of the Year,’ surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo in the viewers’ choice award by Sky Sports.
Howard highlighted Arteta’s significant influence in the dressing room, referring to him as Moyes’ “Crown Jewels.” Moyes entrusted Arteta with immense responsibility, both as a leader and tactician for the team. Arteta embraced this role and became Moyes’ midfield general, earning praise and admiration from his manager. Howard stated, “The gaffer loved him. He could do no wrong in Moyes’ eyes.”
In 2011, Arteta made a move south to Arsenal for £10 million, where he spent five years before retiring from professional football. Then, in 2019, he returned to Arsenal as the head coach and achieved immediate success by winning the FA Cup in his first year. Now, with the Gunners fighting for the Premier League title this season, Arteta has truly made Arsenal his own.
Reflecting on Arteta’s transformation from player to manager, Howard believes that it has been a positive change. He acknowledges that as a manager, Arteta had to find his own voice and project himself in a certain way. Although Howard no longer recognizes his old friend in the role of manager, he sees the growth and development that has taken place. Arteta has changed, but according to Howard, it is in a very good way.
Arteta’s journey from Everton to Arsenal has been one of growth, adaptation, and success. From being Moyes’ “Crown Jewels” to leading Arsenal to victory in the FA Cup, Arteta has become a respected and influential figure in English football. As he continues to shape Arsenal’s future, it is clear that Arteta’s transformation into Mikel the manager has been a necessary and fruitful evolution.