Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted that he is his own person after Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher recently likened the Spaniard to legendary manager Jose Mourinho.
Following the north London outfit's 2-2 Premier League draw against Liverpool last Sunday, Carragher suggested that Arteta is transforming into a manager similar to Mourinho. He stated that the Spaniard has the same kind of defensive instinct like the former Chelsea boss.
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Ahead of Arsenal's EFL Cup last-16 clash at Preston North End, Arteta was asked to share his thoughts on Carragher's comments involving Mourinho. He replied (h/t football.london):
"I take it as an opinion. I've known [Mourinho] since I was 15 years old. He coached me. He was in Barcelona. He's won 26 titles. So he's someone to admire. The way he's done it, the way he's changed the culture in clubs, the way he's done it in different countries."
Arteta, who joined the Gunners in December 2019, added:
"I don't like comparing myself to anybody, because I'm myself, so I don't know. I don't do things because other people have done them, I do things that I believe are the best things for the players and the team to get us success and play the way we want to play."
Arteta, 42, has guided the Emirates Stadium club to three trophies. The ex-Everton star helped them lift the FA Cup in 2020 before guiding them to two FA Community Shield crowns in 2020 and 2023 respectively.
Arsenal urged to sign 31-year-old midfielder
Earlier this month, Paul Pogba had his four-year doping ban reduced to 18 months following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner can play football again next March.
Speaking to UK-based betting website Paddy Power, ex-Gunners defender Bacary Sagna urged his former club to sign Pogba on a free switch next year. He said (h/t Metro):
"The Premier League suits Paul Pogba – I would love to see him join Arsenal. It would be great. He has experience; he loves to play with young players around him, that is when he is most efficient. At the 2018 World Cup, that was when he was most efficient – he had friends around him. Arsenal have a young, fresh team, and I see him performing in [their] shirt. He will get love from their fans."
Pogba, who is expected to be released by Juventus soon, has registered 29 goals and 38 assists in 157 Premier League appearances so far.
