Arteta hails Guardiola as 'best coach in history' ahead of Community Shield clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has lauded Pep Guardiola as "the best coach in the history of football" ahead of their Community Shield clash. Arteta, who spent four years as Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City, expressed deep admiration for his former mentor's impact.

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I’m probably going to fall short in the way I can praise what he’s done. First of all for the Premier League, for the country, the way he has opened a different way of understanding the game, and I think he has escalated the Premier League to a different level.

"I think he has escalated the Premier League to a different level," Arteta stated in a press conference published by Arsenal. He credited Guardiola with transforming the game's understanding and setting unprecedented standards during his decade at City. "He has brought standards to something that we haven’t witnessed before," Arteta said, reflecting on his time working closely with the Spaniard.

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He has brought standards to something that we haven’t witnessed before; I was very lucky to be part of it for four years and to understand and witness how it’s done daily.

Arteta highlighted Guardiola's consistent success across different countries and leagues as a testament to his unique abilities. "It's remarkable, it's unique, and I’ve always said before that I think he’s the best coach in the history of football for many reasons," he added. The Arsenal manager acknowledged the difficulty of competing against Guardiola's teams, noting, "It’s so difficult to play against him and to compete in the manner that he does with his teams."

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It’s remarkable, it’s unique, and I’ve always said before that I think he’s the best coach in the history of football for many reasons.

Beyond his tactical prowess, Arteta believes Guardiola has positively influenced other coaches and teams. "He’s made all of us better," he remarked, expressing gratitude for the experience. While wishing Guardiola well, Arteta also commented on the arrival of Enzo Maresca, Guardiola's successor at City, calling him "as good as him" and predicting he will offer something different to the club. Arteta admitted he did not anticipate Guardiola's departure but sensed it might happen over the past year.

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He’s done it in many different countries and leagues, but in a really consistent and sustainable way, which is the hardest thing to do.