Lukas Podolski shares what Mikel Arteta ‘continuously’ did in Arsenal dressing room that made him stand out

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Arsenal have gone from strength to strength since Mikel Arteta became manager in December 2019.

The Gunners had endured a number of poor seasons and were in mid-table by the time the Spaniard took the reins at N5.

Over the next few years, Arteta well and truly cleaned house at the Emirates Stadium, ruthlessly freezing out players that didn’t meet his high standards.

Five years on, and Arsenal are in the Premier League title picture for the third year in a row and are back in the Champions League.

On Wednesday, the Gunners will take on Inter Milan in the competition, with the game kicking off at the San Siro at 8pm GMT.

Lukas Podolski, who played for both Arsenal and Inter during his career, is not surprised to see Arteta doing so well at the helm of the Gunners.

The Gornik Zabrze striker told Gazzetta dello Sport what Arteta did “continuously” in the Arsenal dressing room that made him stand out as a potential future coach.

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ‘continuously talked about tactics’ in Gunners dressing room

Podolski revealed that the Arsenal boss was “already obsessed with football” as a player.

While other players just wanted to tune out in the dressing room sometimes, Arteta often talked about tactics and match scenarios.

“Arteta’s playing style attracts me,” said the former Germany international.

“He was already obsessed with football [as a player]. He continuously talked about tactics and game situations.

“Sometimes, we wanted to relax in the dressing room, but for him, only football existed.

“He already had a special and different point of view. I’m not surprised Arsenal play this way.”

Podolski shares who he prefers out of Mikel Arteta and Simone Inzaghi

Wednesday’s clash in Milan will see two of the world’s best young coaches face off, with Arteta up against Simone Inzaghi.

When asked which he preferred between the Arsenal manager and the Inter head coach, Podolski said: “It’s hard to choose.

“Inzaghi’s philosophy is clear to everyone, but I must pick a playing style; I’ll go for Arteta’s. I love what he transmits when the Gunners play football.

“Arsenal have done great things in recent years.They haven’t won the Premier League, but they’ve played good football and continue to do so.

“It will be a top game, not a classic league phase match. It’s worth much more.”