Mikel Arteta used to do something in training that was ‘proper horrible’, he was ‘ruthless’

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has shown that he can be ruthless as a manager.

The Spaniard took charge of the Gunners in December 2019, and he has made several massive decisions over the last five-and-a-half years.

From banishing Mesut Ozil towards the end of his first season to then pushing club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out, he showed the world that he wasn’t here to mess around.

Now, it has been revealed that Arteta was very similar when he was a player on the training ground as well.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was ‘proper horrible’ when he was a player

Arteta was a very underrated midfielder.

Arsenal fans will remember him for his incredible technical quality, tremendous passing and his ability to play in any of the three midfield positions.

Before he became a Gunner, Arteta made a fantastic name for himself at Everton, where he was one of their best players.

Hope Akpan, who came through the ranks at Everton and trained with the senior side on many occasions, has had his say about the now Arsenal manager.

Just when we were expecting him to praise Arteta as a silky player, he highlighted a different side to the Spaniard’s game that nobody really talks about.

Akpan said: “Mikel Arteta was probably the cream of the crop. But again, like ruthless, ruthless player, man. Like dirty.

“A lot of people might not think that, but any time you go up against him, because I was one of them players, I’m trying to tackle you, I’m trying to nick it off you. He’d give you a slap in the face or like a poke in the eye.

“Proper, like proper horrible, like the dark arts, the darkest!”

Dennis Bergkamp’s similarity to Mikel Arteta

Dennis Bergkamp is one of the most graceful footballers to ever play the game.

The legendary Dutchman was incredible to watch, and his technical ability, vision and movement are what he is remembered for to this day.

However, just like Arteta was in training, Bergkamp has been described as a ‘dirty’ player by his former opponents and teammates.

Nigel Winterburn, who played with Bergkamp, said about him, as per The Sun: “Dennis Bergkamp was sensational, but dirty as well – a lot dirtier than people thought.

“I got a couple of elbows in the face from him in training after someone annoyed him; I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”