Mikel Arteta Predicts that Former Arsenal, Granit Xhaka, Will Become a Great Coach in the Future

Gilabola.com – Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, believes his former captain, Granit Xhaka, has great potential to become a great coach in the future.

He said the Swiss midfielder had shown serious interest in the world of coaching since he was still in Arsenal uniform. Apart from that, Arteta is also facing a busy schedule in December which has the potential to test the squad’s resilience Shooter.

Arteta said that Xhaka had started his coaching course while still at Emirates Stadium. He believes that Xhaka’s experience and leadership during his seven years at Arsenal will be valuable capital for his new career in the future.

The Spanish coach added that if his former protégé was serious about pursuing this field, he believed that Xhaka could become an extraordinary coach.

However, Arteta also emphasized that Xhaka still has a long career as a player. Since joining Sunderland in the summer of 2025, Xhaka has always appeared in full in every match for the promoted club. For Arteta, the player’s main focus at the moment is helping his new team survive in the Premier League.

Arteta said that a number of other players at Arsenal had also shown similar interest. He mentioned names such as Cedric Soares and Mohamed Elneny who have started their coaching licenses.

According to him, this is a positive thing because it shows that the players are starting to prepare for their future from an early age.

Arteta’s former assistant, Carlos Cuesta, is also a clear example of how Arsenal’s coaching system has influenced the creation of new coaches. Cuesta is now coaching Parma, while Jack Wilshere has pursued his managerial career with Luton Town. Arteta feels proud to see many people around him developing in the same direction.

Challenges of a Busy Schedule in December

Apart from talking about Xhaka, Arteta also commented on the busy schedule that awaits Arsenal towards the end of the year. The North London club is scheduled to face Everton two days before the Carabao Cup quarter-final match against Crystal Palace on December 23.

Arteta hopes that the schedule can be adjusted so that the players have adequate recovery time. He said that discussions with the Premier League and related clubs had taken place positively and he was optimistic that there would be the best solution.

The 43-year-old coach believes that a schedule that is too tight could affect the team’s performance, especially amidst the injury situation that still haunts several main players. He doesn’t want to take risks that could worsen the squad’s condition ahead of the second half of the season.

Arsenal itself is waiting for confirmation regarding the condition of a number of players such as Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. Arteta has not given a guarantee whether they will be able to return to action in the near future. He emphasized that his main priority is ensuring the fitness of all players is maintained.

On the other hand, Arteta also believes that building a legacy is not just about winning trophies, but also about preparing the next generation who can continue the club’s values. He hopes that the players who are now studying to become coaches can bring the same enthusiasm and philosophy to other clubs in the future.