Mikel Arteta is now widely known for his work from the touchline at Arsenal, but former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has offered a reminder of the qualities that made the Spaniard stand out as a player during their time together at Everton, Footynaija.com reports.
Arteta joined Everton in 2005 and established himself as an important figure in the then David Moyes’ midfield, using his passing and ability to read the game to influence matches.
Yakubu arrived at Goodison Park in 2007 after Everton paid a club-record fee to sign him from Middlesbrough. The Nigerian striker spent four years at the club, giving him plenty of time to experience Arteta’s qualities first-hand.
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The pair played together until Arteta left Everton for Arsenal in 2011, with the Spaniard regularly supplying the service that allowed Yakubu and other forwards to attack from dangerous positions.
‘Arteta was special’
Speaking about the best players he shared a dressing room with, Yakubu placed Arteta among a star-studded group that included Jay-Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Steven Pienaar, Mark Viduka and Eyal Berkovic.
The former Nigeria international was particularly impressed by Arteta’s intelligence and understanding of the game.
“So lucky, I swear, to play with Mikel Arteta, I swear and everything,” Yakubu stated in a report by Pulse Sports.
“Arteta was special. He’s another clever guy too, you know.”
Yakubu’s description of Arteta goes beyond technical ability. The former Everton midfielder could spot passing options early, control the tempo of attacks and find forwards between defenders, qualities that made him a natural provider for strikers.
The Nigerian also singled out Berkovic for his ability to pick out forwards, but his praise for Arteta stood out because of the Spaniard’s influence on the team around him.
Arteta eventually returned to Arsenal, first as a player before moving into coaching and succeeding Unai Emery as manager in 2019. His playing career gave him a strong understanding of the demands of English football, while his years in midfield shaped the tactical approach he now brings to the Arsenal dugout.
For Yakubu, however, Arteta’s intelligence was already obvious long before he became one of the Premier League’s most closely watched managers.
