Mikel Arteta has committed his future to Arsenal until 2030 after signing a new contract with the club.
The Spaniard has overseen a major transformation since taking charge in 2019, turning Arsenal into Premier League champions and one of the strongest teams in Europe.
With Arteta now tied down for another four years, Manchester United icon Teddy Sheringham believes there are similarities between the Arsenal boss and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Arteta following Ferguson’s blueprint
Ferguson built his Manchester United legacy by constantly improving his squad, even when the club was already at the top of English football.
Sheringham believes Arteta is now taking a similar approach at Arsenal, particularly with the club’s recent recruitment.
“Arsenal will get first pick even ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid because they are top of the pile at the moment, and they’re only going from strength to strength,” Sheringham said to Hajper.
“Mikel Arteta is doing what Sir Alex Ferguson used to, going out and buying players when he’s already on top, and keeping that continuity within the football club.
“We’ve seen that with Ezri Konsa and Bruno Guimarães. They are two outstanding signings that keep the ball rolling, keep Arsenal moving forward.”
Arsenal are therefore not simply trying to defend their position. The club is attempting to strengthen a squad that has already reached the top of the Premier League.
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Could Arteta target Manchester City stars?
Sheringham also believes Arteta’s previous experience working under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City could give Arsenal an advantage in the transfer market.
“Arteta will have his eye on at least two or three Manchester City players. He’ll know a lot of them from working at Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s assistant. Erling Haaland? Rayan Cherki? Antoine Semenyo? He’ll be straight on the phone now seeing what’s possible.
“That’s what Sir Alex Ferguson would have done. He’d have broached the subject immediately. Think about the amount of top Scousers he wanted to sign from Liverpool over the years. Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler.
“If Fergie was still the manager, he would ask the question. Whether Erling Haaland would look at Manchester United and think they’re not good enough for him, that’s another question.”
Can Arteta match Ferguson?
It is far too early to suggest Arteta can replicate what Ferguson achieved at Manchester United.
Ferguson spent more than two decades at Old Trafford and won 13 Premier League titles. Arteta’s Arsenal career is still in its early stages by comparison.
However, the new contract gives Arteta the time and stability to build something similar.
The bigger question now is whether Arsenal can remain at the top for years to come.
If Arteta continues strengthening the squad while maintaining the standards that have taken Arsenal back to the summit, the Ferguson comparison may become increasingly difficult to dismiss.
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