Mikel Arteta Opens Up About His Daunting Experience at PSG at 18

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta recently shared insights into his challenging yet formative experience playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the tender age of 18. Reflecting on his time with the French giants, Arteta described it as a pivotal period that significantly shaped his career and managerial philosophy.

Arteta joined PSG on an 18-month loan from Barcelona, where he was struggling to break into the first team. The move to Paris was both an exciting opportunity and a daunting challenge for the young midfielder. “It was my first professional experience,” Arteta recalled. “I had an unbelievable time there. I will always be grateful to Luis Fernandez because he was the one who believed in me when I was 17 or 18 years old and gave me the platform in professional football”.

During his stint at PSG, Arteta had the chance to play alongside some of the biggest names in football, including Ronaldinho, Nicolas Anelka, and Jay-Jay Okocha. “Playing with such top players was unbelievable,” Arteta said. “It was a steep learning curve, but it was also incredibly rewarding. I learned so much from them, both on and off the pitch.”

Despite the excitement, Arteta admitted that the experience was not without its challenges. Moving to a new country, adapting to a different culture, and competing at a high level were all daunting tasks for the young Spaniard. “It was tough at times,” he admitted. “But PSG protected me like a son. They supported me through the difficult moments and helped me grow both as a player and as a person”.

Arteta’s time at PSG left a lasting impact on him, shaping his approach to football and management. “Those experiences at PSG were crucial in my development,” he explained. “They taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of having a strong support system. These are lessons I carry with me to this day, both in my personal life and in my career as a manager”.

As Arteta prepares to face PSG in the Champions League, he looks back on his time in Paris with fondness and gratitude. “I will always have a special place in my heart for PSG,” he said. “They gave me my first real taste of professional football, and for that, I will always be thankful”.