Mikel Arteta Fires Back at Jamie Carragher's Comparison to Jose Mourinho

Mikel Arteta has revealed that Jose Mourinho is a source of inspiration for him as a manager, describing the former Premier League boss as 'someone I truly admire'.

Arteta was asked about Jamie Carragher’s remarks in a press conference on Tuesday after the football pundit compared the Arsenal manager to Mourinho.

Currently in charge of Turkish club Fenerbahce, Mourinho has previously managed three clubs in England – Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.

Mourinho, famous for his defensive style and implementation of a ‘park the bus’ strategy, is among the sport’s most successful active managers.

Asked if Mourinho was an inspiration, Arteta said: ‘For sure, I’ve known him since I was 15-years-old.

‘He coached me at Barcelona. He’s won 26, 28 titles. So he is someone to really admire the way he’s done it, the way he’s changed the culture in clubs, the way he’s done it in different countries.’

Quizzed specifically about Carragher likening him to Mourinho, though, Arteta insisted that he doesn’t want to be compared to any other managers.

‘I don’t talk about myself,’ Arteta added. ‘That’s his (Carragher’s) job to talk about others, so I let him give his opinion.

‘I take it as an opinion. I don’t like myself being compared to anybody, because I’m myself.

‘I don’t do things because other people are doing things. I do things that I believe are the best for the players and for the team to get a success, and play the way we want to play. That’s it.’

Carragher questioned whether Arteta is turning into the next Mourinho rather than another disciple of Pep Guardiola after Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

‘Mikel Arteta is slowly morphing into a Jose Mourinho type of manager and no one really thought that would happen,’ the ex-Liverpool defender said.

‘[On Sunday] they were 2-1 up, pressing Liverpool, on top and playing really well but they retreated in the second half.’