Mikel Arteta: «My wife Lorena deserves more than anyone to be part of this success

Mikel Arteta, the mastermind behind Arsenal's recent Premier League triumph and their progression to the Champions League final, has opened up about the journey, the pressures, and the personal cost of success in an exclusive interview with MARCA. Speaking from his office at the Arsenal Training Centre, just two days before the crucial final against PSG, Arteta conveyed a sense of profound happiness and pride in his team's achievements.

A Season of Success

Reflecting on why this season saw Arsenal lift the Premier League title after several near misses in previous years, Arteta attributed it to a confluence of factors. "Someone up there aligned the planets for it to be this way," he mused. "Other years we've been close, but something was missing. The sensations have been different from the start, perhaps the type of player… but the consistency has been similar. I was convinced we were going to be very close. Not to win, as that depends on many things. My job has been to convince them that they felt like the best, as there were moments of doubt. I gave them energy and told them to enjoy themselves like never before."

Arteta also revealed why he wasn't with the players during their Premier League title celebrations. "I felt they would be more comfortable without my presence," he explained. "I trained normally that day, and with an hour left until the Bournemouth-City match, I felt strange, with a different energy. I went up, and all the players and staff were watching the match together. And I felt it was their moment. I told them I was going home, and I didn't pick up the phone or watch the match. My children were in front of the TV, and I went to have a barbecue in the garden. Gabi [Heinze] was with me. I could hear noises from the neighbours, but I carried on with my own thing. This continued until, at the end of the City match, my eldest son, Gabriel, opened the door and, in tears, told me, 'Dad, we are Premier League champions.' We hugged with the whole family… and that's how I experienced it. I get goosebumps seeing how people lived it. That a ball can connect so many people with those emotions is incredible. I always tell my players. It doesn't matter your culture, your ideas, your religion… the ball works magic."

Overcoming the 'Loser' Label

The victory has undoubtedly helped Arsenal shed the tag of a "loser team." Arteta acknowledged the significance of this mental shift. "There's a part of joy and another of shedding the weight, of relief," he stated. "Of saying, 'We've got this now.' And we must use that now as a tsunami of emotion, of excitement, and of hunger to win the Champions League."

He emphasized that the journey itself has been the most rewarding aspect. "We've done this with people who are worth it. I, at times, have felt vulnerable and asked myself if I was capable of achieving this. 'Am I the ideal person to lead this?' And you don't have the answer until you achieve it. We've done it together. I cannot settle; my job is to find other formulas to end up winning."

Tactical Adaptations and Criticisms

Despite the success, Arsenal have faced criticism for their defensive approach in some matches, particularly since their win against Atlético Madrid. Arteta addressed this directly: "I respect all opinions, and then you have to decide where to place them: give them importance, discard them, keep them in memory, burn them, use them, and they serve you… There is space for everything. My job is that if something isn't enough to win, I can't settle. My job is to find other formulas to end up winning, to innovate, to look for different ways than before. And that's what we've been doing."

He further elaborated on the tactical adjustments necessitated by injuries. "With the injuries we've had, there are moments for everything. If I put those injuries into a machine and asked for the probabilities of winning the Premier League, they would have given me 2%. And I wasn't going to accept that. We've had to look for other things, with our resources and qualities, to be just as competitive in the 60-something matches we've played, with the demanded level of intensity."

Rivalry with Luis Enrique

Arteta also spoke fondly of his former Barcelona teammate, Luis Enrique, who will be his counterpart in the Champions League final. "He's someone I remember with great affection for how he was with the young players and what he was as a player," Arteta said with a laugh. "As a coach, he's someone who has had the leadership to go one way and, with all the noise against him, stick to it and end up winning the way he has. He's an example for everyone."

Zubimendi's Role

Regarding Martín Zubimendi's recent role, Arteta explained the tactical decisions. "I can give you a thousand examples of players who, in their first year in the Premier League, haven't been as top as 'Zubi's' impressive campaign. But it's also true that he's played a number of games he'd never had before, and that has put him in a difficult scenario at times. For my part, it's been a difficult decision, but I think there was a better teammate for certain types of matches. We've given 'Zubi' some respite, some oxygen, for these final matches."

Personal Sacrifice and a Wife's Support

The emotional toll of managing a top club was palpable when Arteta discussed personal sacrifices. "I've tried to balance it in the best way possible, but there's always a very high cost," he admitted. "But I tell you: if there is one person who deserves more than anyone to be in this success, it's my wife Lorena [Mikel becomes emotional]. What she has done for me and my children is indescribable because, literally, I am not present. And when I am physically, sometimes I'm not mentally. She has been the one who has managed to balance things at home."

Looking Ahead to the World Cup

With four Arsenal players set to represent Spain in the upcoming World Cup, Arteta expressed immense pride. "I am super proud that they are in Luis de la Fuente's squad, but what I am most proud of is that, regardless of the role Luis assigns them, I am one hundred percent convinced that, in the circumstances the coach needs them, they will respond well… because they are a gem."

Datos clave
| Aspecto | Detalle |
|—|—|
| Entrenador | Mikel Arteta |
| Club | Arsenal FC |
| Logros Actuales | Premier League ganada, Final de Champions League |
| Rival en la Final | Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) |
| Jugadores en La Roja | 4 |

This interview offers a candid glimpse into the mind of Mikel Arteta, highlighting not only his tactical acumen and leadership but also his deep appreciation for the personal support systems that enable his success on the pitch. His reflections underscore the immense dedication required at the highest level of football and the profound impact of family in navigating its challenges.

Fuente: MARCA – https://www.marca.com/futbol/champions-league/2026/05/28/arteta-marca-defensivos-alcanza-debo-innovar-buscar-ganar.html

Datos clave