NO PAIN NO GAIN FOR ART
Injury taught Mikel a tough lesson
MIKEL ARTETA’S mind flashes back to the worst day of his footballing life as he prepares Arsenal to face Newcastle on the anniversary of the horror injury he suffered against the Toon Army.
The Spaniard was in Everton blue when he collapsed with severe cruciate ligament damage at St James’ Park in February 2009.
He was out of action for 11 months and there were genuine fears he would never play again when a bacterial infection caused his knee to swell to the size of a watermelon.
Now 37, and trying to avoid 11th-placed Arsenal finishing outside the top six for the first time in 25 years in his first managerial role, Arteta says those life lessons in the darkest of days have made him a better person – and a better boss.
He conceded it was difficult for him to come through but said: “It was one of the toughest parts of my professional career but the one I learned most from.
“I took a lot from that. It was a big challenge, at some stages I thought it was going to be over when I had an infection and they didn’t know what it was and it was looking bad.
“It took me almost a year to get back to playing. After I recovered my form, I started to perform well and I joined Arsenal.
“I think it was a good thing. At the time I could not see it. But it was a very challenging time in my career that I had to go over.
“And I had to rebuild myself to do that.” Arteta’s physical and emotional battle is aiding his ability to look after his current crop of crocks including defender Calum Chambers (right) who is out for the season with cruciate damage.
Arteta said: “Now when I see
Calum and what he’s going through,
I know exactly how tough the first four or five weeks are on that injury, how the process is afterwards.
“I want to be close with them because I think it makes an impact and it’s helpful for them. I know how hard it is.”
Arteta could have been in the opposing dugout today had he accepted the offer to quit coaching Man City and replace Rafa Benitez as Newcastle boss last summer.
But he is glad he waited for an emotional return to Arsenal even though they are having such a bad season that only relegation-threatened Norwich and Watford have won fewer matches than the Gunners’ total of six.
He reckons the Geordies are also happy they ended up with Steve Bruce.
Arteta said: “I was considering a situation at Newcastle that could change my professional and personal life.
“I had to put everything on the table to make that decision. I made the decision to stay where I was at the time.
“I believe that Newcastle are happy.
“What Steve has brought to the club has been really, really good. “The performances and results, compared to where they were last year, they are above any expectation.
“He has put together a team with great spirit and is a manager with massive, massive experience.”