Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is truly one of a kind.
The Spaniard has transformed the Gunners over the last four-and-a-half years, and he is the biggest reason why they are challenging for major trophies now.
Unlike most other managers, Arteta doesn’t just have one style of play. His side can play scintillating attacking football as well as defend deep like their lives depended on it.
That’s very rare in a manager, but Rio Ferdinand and Jermaine Pennant, following the North London Derby, have compared Arteta to a former Premier League boss who was a villain to Arsenal fans for many, many years.
Rio Ferdinand compares Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to Tony Pulis
Tony Pulis made a big name for himself for being one of the most defensive managers in Premier League history back in the day.
The Welshman managed over 350 games as Stoke City’s manager over two spells many years ago, and his side always caused Arsenal problems.
At the time, not many clubs in England really prioritised set-pieces – not even Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United or Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.
Pulis made that his bread and butter, and following Arsenal’s brilliance in set-plays in recent years, Ferdinand and Pennant have compared Arteta to the former Stoke boss.
On FIVE, while talking about Arsenal’s win over Tottenham, Ferdinand said to Arsenal fan Joel Beya: “You lot are like Stoke now innit? You lot are coming like Stoke.”
Pennant immediately added: “Arteta is moving like Pulis!”
Ferdinand then said: “Tony Pulis part two!”
Pulis ‘absolutely despised’ Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger
Pulis and Wenger had several battles back in the day.
Ryan Shawcross’ diabolical challenge on Aaron Ramsey that nearly ended his career sparked a lot of animosity between the two clubs and the managers, and a lot of words were said between the two.
Even those behind the scenes at the respective clubs knew just how much Pulis and Wenger didn’t like each other when the former was at Stoke.
Dave Kitson, who used to play under Pulis at Stoke City, told The Sun in 2019: “I was there when Ryan Shawcross snapped Aaron Ramsey’s leg in half. I heard the crack of Ramsey’s leg from the bench. I heard the screaming. And the build-up to the game contributed to this moment.
“Stoke manager Tony Pulis absolutely despised Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, hated the way he played. While Wenger hated the way Stoke played. They were the direct opposite of each other in football terms.
“They used to have little snipes at each other in the media. All week I had never seen a manager so desperate to win a game of football, it was bordering on out of control.”
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