"He would be in top of the list" - Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta names tennis superstar Rafael Nadal as one of his idols

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has named tennis great Rafael Nadal as one of his idols. The Gunners boss was asked about which sportsperson he idolises, and he took the time to praise Nadal.

Speaking ahead of his side's Europa League last 16 second-leg clash with Sporting CP on Thursday (March 16), he said (via football.london):

"I cannot think, but I’m sure there are a lot. Someone I admire for a long time is Rafa Nadal. For me, he would be in top of the list, for sure."

Arteta holds his compatriot in high regard and with good reason. Nadal has become a tennis icon during his 22-year professional career. He has won 92 ATP singles titles, including 36 Masters 1000s, and has won a record 63 titles on clay. El Nino was voted the greatest Spanish athlete of all time in a poll conducted by Spanish magazine Marca in 2020.

Nadal's trophy cabinet is stacked with titles, and Arteta is looking to follow suit with his Arsenal side. The Gunners boss has overseen an incredible season at the Emirates, with his team top of the Premier League. They hold a five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City with 11 games to go.

The duo have met in the past, with Arteta watching Nadal prepare for the 2018 Wimbledon Championships. He uploaded a picture of himself with the tennis superstar.

Nadal didn't win Wimbledon that year but has won the competition twice. He's a football fan and has reportedly been positioned as the potential successor of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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Arsenal boss Arteta played down links to Real Madrid

Arteta (right) says he's happy at Arsenal.

Arteta's superb campaign with Arsenal hasn't gone unnoticed, as Real Madrid have been linked with the Spanish coach. There are question marks over the future of Carlo Ancelotti as Los Blancos trail Barcelona by nine points atop the La Liga standings.

However, the Gunners boss rubbished claims that he could leave the Emirates for the Santiago Bernabeu. He said:

"It’s things that managers or players can’t control what is written. What I can tell is that I’m fully focused on what I’m doing here and extremely proud and grateful to do what I’m doing in this football club. That’s it."

Arteta has two years left on his contract with the north London giants after signing a new deal last April. He has overseen 100 wins in 167 games and led his side to the FA Cup title in his first season in charge.