Journalist Lynsey Hooper has emphasized Pep Guardiola’s profound impact on Mikel Arteta’s managerial style, observing that the Arsenal manager often replicates his mentor’s strategies. On the Seaman Says podcast, Hooper pointed out that while employing Guardiola’s methods may prove successful, it could also restrict Arsenal’s chances of outsmarting Manchester City. She remarked, “You don’t want to be the person that’s always one step behind Pep, do you? So, like, Pep trials something, then Arsenal do it… But in order to beat Pep at his own game, I think you’ve got to do something different to him.”
Hooper’s insights are plausible. For example, Oleksandr Zinchenko’s tendency to move into midfield—a tactic popularized at Manchester City before his transfer to Arsenal—has become a tactical foundation for Arteta. Similarly, Arteta’s recent choice of a defensive line made up entirely of central defenders, as seen against Burnley, mirrors a strategy often used by Guardiola.
However, not all of Arsenal’s tactics are derived from City. Arteta’s creative use of Kai Havertz as a left-sided No. 8 in possession, shifting to a target man role off the ball, is a unique approach. Even though Arsenal brought in City’s set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, their success in this area reflects their own progress rather than mere imitation.
Considering both managers share a Barcelona-influenced coaching background and have worked together in the past, it’s expected that their methods would overlap. Yet, some tactical aspects could be Arteta’s own innovations. Additionally, Arteta has already defeated Guardiola twice this season—an accomplishment that would likely not have occurred if his approach were purely derivative.
