Mikel Arteta’s true feelings on Ange Postecoglou are clear ahead of Arsenal reunion

Arsenal travel to the City Ground this weekend for a tough clash against Nottingham Forest, which will be their first game under new manager Ange Postecoglou following Nuno Espirito Santo’s sacking

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is known to be a huge admirer of Ange Postecoglou as he prepares to face his former Tottenham rival against Nottingham Forest this weekend.

Postecoglou was unveiled as the new Forest boss this week following the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo and he will go straight into a huge clash against the title-chasing Gunners.

The Australian went up against Arteta four times as Tottenham boss and failed to win a game, drawing one and losing three – so the Spaniard should feel confident he can get the better of his opposite number again.

But he previously admitted he had big respect for Postecoglou before last year’s North London Derby and said he was “inspirational” to him because of how he sticks to his principles no matter what.

“I admire him,” he said. “I admire him and I respect him. I think he has been an inspirational coach in my career because he has done things in his own way in various contexts, in various countries.

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“He has a very unique way of thinking about the game and his philosophy and I love it. He stands by it and I think, as well, he represents himself and the club in a really good way.”

Postecoglou was famed for employing an incredibly high line at Tottenham – memorably even when his team were trailing Chelsea with just nine men in November 2023.

But he came under fire from fans and pundits for failing to adapt his tactics last season when his side was up against it and without his best players during an injury crisis.

His Tottenham side ended up finishing 17th but did end the campaign with a memorable Europa League triumph before he was axed by the club.

Postecoglou said he was excited about the prospect of adding to Forest’s rich history after being unveiled as Espirito Santo’s successor. “The one thing that hits you the most when you go into a new role is the responsibility,” he said in his first interview.

“It’s a fantastic football club with great history and, even in recent times, it has done really well. You bear that responsibility, but I’m excited and I’m looking forward to it and I’m really happy to be here.

“This Club has real ambitions and that’s really important to me. We’ve got an exciting squad. Playing against the Club last season, you could tell there was a really strong unity across the Club and you want to be a part of that because you know that’s what’s required to be successful.”

“I’ve worked myself into this position over the past 28 years because I’ve never put any limits on what I want to achieve. Wherever I’ve been, I’ve been fortunate to have success which has allowed me to take that next step.”

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