Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken highly of Pep Guardiola, calling his former Manchester City mentor “the best coach in the history of football” ahead of the 2026 Community Shield.
The fixture brought Arsenal and Manchester City together in Cardiff for the traditional curtain-raiser to the new domestic season. It also carried extra significance for Arteta, as it was his first meeting with City since Guardiola’s departure from the club.
Arteta’s Respect for His Former Boss
Arteta worked alongside Guardiola as a member of Manchester City’s coaching staff for four years before leaving to take charge of Arsenal.
His experience during that period gave him a close understanding of Guardiola’s coaching philosophy, preparation, attention to detail, and high standards.
Arteta believes Guardiola’s influence on football goes beyond the trophies he has collected. He credits the Spanish coach with changing how teams approach the game and helping raise the tactical standards of the Premier League.
Guardiola’s Remarkable City Career
Guardiola spent a decade managing Manchester City and enjoyed one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
Under his leadership, City developed a distinctive style based on possession, pressing, positional play, tactical flexibility, and controlling matches.
The success was sustained over many seasons, helping establish Manchester City as one of the dominant forces in English football.
For Arteta, spending four years in that environment provided valuable lessons that have influenced his own career.
How Guardiola Shaped Arteta
The relationship between the two managers has attracted plenty of attention since Arteta became Arsenal boss.
Although Arteta learned extensively from Guardiola, he has gradually developed his own coaching philosophy at Arsenal.
The former assistant has also turned into one of Guardiola’s strongest domestic rivals, with Arsenal increasingly competing with City for major honours.
Their relationship therefore reflects both mentorship and competition.
Arteta Builds His Own Legacy
Arteta’s comments came as Arsenal entered the Community Shield as Premier League champions.
The achievement represented another important step in his development as a manager and demonstrated how far Arsenal had progressed under his leadership.
Facing Manchester City was particularly significant because Guardiola had been one of the biggest influences on Arteta’s coaching journey.
The Community Shield offered the Arsenal boss an early opportunity to test his team against a new-look City side.
A Different Manchester City
The 2026 Community Shield marked the beginning of a new era for Manchester City following Guardiola’s departure after 10 years at the helm.
Enzo Maresca took over as City’s new manager, bringing his own ideas while inheriting a squad built during Guardiola’s successful reign.
Arteta expressed his respect for Guardiola’s contribution to English football while also welcoming the new chapter under Maresca.
Arsenal Make a Statement
The match ultimately ended in a convincing victory for Arsenal.
Arteta’s side defeated Manchester City 3-0, with goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard.
The result gave Arsenal the Community Shield and provided an early indication that the club intends to compete strongly again during the new campaign.
For Arteta, defeating City added another layer to an already intriguing relationship with his former club and mentor.
Guardiola’s Lasting Influence
Whatever happens in future seasons, Guardiola’s impact on English football is unlikely to disappear quickly.
His time at Manchester City produced numerous trophies and helped popularise tactical ideas that have influenced coaches throughout the Premier League and beyond.
Many managers have studied aspects of his approach, while rival teams have been forced to adapt in order to compete with his sides.
Arteta is among those who have benefited directly from working within Guardiola’s coaching environment.
A New Chapter
Arteta’s description of Guardiola as the best coach in football history reflects the respect that exists between the two managers.
However, the Arsenal boss is now focused on creating his own legacy.
His success in transforming Arsenal into Premier League champions and then lifting the Community Shield demonstrates that he is no longer simply known as Guardiola’s former assistant.
He has become a major figure in his own right.
Conclusion
Mikel Arteta’s praise for Pep Guardiola highlights the lasting influence of one of football’s most successful modern coaches.
Having worked closely with Guardiola, Arteta understands the qualities that helped make his former boss so successful. At the same time, Arteta has used those experiences to develop his own approach and build a competitive Arsenal team.
The 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City gave Arteta an impressive start to the new season and showed that Arsenal are ready to defend their status as one of England’s leading teams.
Guardiola may have shaped Arteta’s coaching journey, but Arteta is now writing a legacy of his own.