“I Called Him and He Gave Me Advice” — Arteta Hails Pep after Arsenal Defeated Real Madrid

 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed heartfelt gratitude to his former mentor Pep Guardiola following the Gunners’ impressive 2–1 victory over Real Madrid in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.

The win at the Santiago Bernabéu sealed a commanding 5–1 aggregate triumph for Arsenal, sending the North London side into their first Champions League semifinal in 15 years. Speaking after the match, Arteta credited Guardiola for shaping his coaching journey.

“If I’m here, it’s thanks to Pep Guardiola,” Arteta said during his post-match interview. “I called him this morning. I will always be grateful to him.”

Arteta served as Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City from 2016 to 2019, a period during which the duo won multiple Premier League titles and developed a strong tactical synergy. Arteta has often pointed to that experience as foundational to his development as a manager.

In Tuesday night’s clash, Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for Arsenal in the second half, redeeming himself after an earlier missed penalty. Real Madrid equalized through Vinícius Jr., but Arsenal regained control late in stoppage time when Gabriel Martinelli sealed the result with a calm finish on the counterattack.

Arteta also shared a respectful exchange with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti after the final whistle, with the veteran Italian coach offering congratulations and wishing him luck in the upcoming semifinal showdown against Paris Saint-Germain.

Reflecting on the victory, Arteta praised the maturity and composure of his squad, singling out Declan Rice for his dominant display and Mikel Merino for his control in the midfield.

“This was a team performance full of character,” Arteta said. “We knew how difficult it would be, especially here, but the boys showed incredible belief and discipline.”

With Arsenal now preparing for a high-stakes semifinal clash against PSG, Arteta’s influence continues to grow — a testament not only to his own leadership but also to the enduring impact of Guardiola’s mentorship.