Mikel Arteta says he once had a teammate who could transform this Arsenal side in ’10 seconds’

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta shared the pitch with some truly incredible footballers back when he was a player.

The Spaniard is now one of the best managers in world football. He has truly transformed Arsenal over the years and is a real hero in our eyes.

Arteta didn’t always get the credit he deserved for his ability on the pitch as a player, but he was very, very good in his prime.

However, some of his teammates were significantly better, and Arteta has now named one of them who he would love to bring to his current Arsenal side if they were still in their prime.

Mikel Arteta says prime Ronaldinho would ‘transform’ this Arsenal side

Ronaldinho is one of the greatest players to ever grace the game.

The Brazilian is many people’s favourite footballer of all time, and when he was in full flow, he was just a joy to watch back in the day.

There aren’t players like Ronaldinho anymore in today’s highly tactical game, which is a shame. We would love to see someone like him at Arsenal.

Even Arteta appears to have that wish.

In an interview with Chinese media outlet Iqiyi, the Arsenal manager was asked to name the one former teammate he would love to have in his current side if he could get them in their prime.

Arteta had a little think and then named Ronaldinho, a player he played with when he was at Paris Saint-Germain many years ago.

He said: “I’ve played with so many but the best player I have ever played with is Ronaldinho, by far.

“He would have the energy to come into that stadium and transform it in 10 seconds. I have never seen a player who’s able to do that.”

Ronaldinho compared one Arsenal player to Ronaldo

Arsenal have several top-class players in their squad right now.

Arteta has worked really hard over the years to build this team, and he has assembled a terrific group of players who are capable of taking on any side in the world.

Things were very different when Arteta first took charge of Arsenal. There were many players who weren’t quite good enough to be challenging for the big trophies.

However, one player caught Ronaldinho’s eye back then.

Ronaldinho was so impressed with Gabriel Martinelli that he compared him to Brazil icon Ronaldo back in January 2020.

He said: “We as Brazilians are very excited about him and his future. It is one thing to have the talent – but another at the age of 18 to have the confidence. Martinelli reminds me of Ronaldo his first season in Europe he scored 30 goals and people were thinking: ‘Who is this 18-year-old Brazilian kid?’

“He wanted the ball, he would run at players, there was no fear no matter what players or team he was playing against – and I see that similar attitude in Martinelli.

“He just wants to be on the ball and score goals. Ronaldo went on to be the best player in the world – and that can also be the aim of Martinelli.”