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Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta has praised Barcelona for appointing Xavi as their head coach again in November 2021.
La Blaugrana parted methods with then-manager Ronald Koeman whereas sitting mid-table in La Liga. A top-four end seemed unlikely and so they had been on the verge of elimination from their Champions League group.
Xavi returned to Camp Nou from Qatari facet Al Sadd and managed to steer Barça to an unlikely second-place end in La Liga. They went one higher in 2022/23, profitable their first league title since 2019.
In a wide-ranging interview with MARCA, Arteta – who got here by way of La Masia with Xavi – mentioned that bringing in a determine like the previous midfielder was vital for Barcelona to succeed in the highest once more, hailing his facet as ‘very dependable’.
READ THE LATEST BARCELONA NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
“Solely understanding his character and what he feels concerning the sport, it is clear that Barça wanted a determine like him,” Arteta mentioned.
“He has been capable of stand up to the strain and has been trustworthy to his concepts by all the time defending the membership and the gamers. The staff has been very dependable all 12 months.”
When requested if he would contemplate managing in La Liga himself, Arteta replied: “Spain is my nation. I’ve been away for a few years and in some unspecified time in the future it might be an choice to return to La Liga and produce other experiences. However now…”
Arteta additionally spoke glowingly of former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, who he labored beneath as an assistant at Manchester Metropolis and is now a rival of within the Premier League.
“He’s one of the best at the whole lot. Administration; convincing the group of your thought; getting one of the best out of them; decision-making earlier than and in the course of the match. Pep is a genius,” Arteta continued.
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On this week’s version of Speaking Transfers, a part of the 90min podcast community, Toby Cudworth is joined by Graeme Bailey and Sean Walsh to debate the most recent switch information. On the agenda is Arsenal’s method for Jurrien Timber, Kai Havertz and Declan Rice, the exodus of Chelsea gamers to Saudi Arabia, Moises Caicedo, Kyle Walker, Man Utd’s goalkeeper plans & extra!
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