“You created a monster” – Rio Ferdinand blames Pep Guardiola for Mikel Arteta’s rise

"He was already a monster."

Rio Ferdinand has joked that Pep Guardiola has "created a monster" when describing Mikel Arteta's recent rise with Arsenal. Arteta worked as an assistant coach to Guardiola at Manchester City, and it is clear to see that the Spaniard was paying close attention to the main boss. In the Amazon Prime documentary, Arsenal: All or Nothing, it is obviously evident just how passionate, enthusiastic and intelligent Arteta is. Results weren't always going the right way, and some huge decisions had to be made, such as stripping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the captaincy and then selling him to Barcelona. However, the way in which Arteta introduced and nurtured young talent such as Bukayo Saka, and gave responsibility to the newer generation, has allowed this Arsenal team to grow and mature. Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand sat down with Guardiola and as they discussed the importance of stability at a club, and how managers need time to implement their methods, Arteta was used as the perfect example of this.

"Arteta was someone who had support and was given time, and now look how they're doing - you have created a monster." "Absolutely not," replied the Man City boss."He was already a monster.

"They see him - the Sports Director, everyone at the club - they see how he works, we saw it in the documentary, we know it. "People think that Mikel would go there and in six months he would win the Champions League - he needs time." Every great coach has worked under a mentor, and Guardiola himself always credits his time working under Johan Cruyff as the cornerstone of his own managerial journey. But, as the season keeps tipping forward and Arsenal's inevitable fall from the top suddenly doesn't seem to be inevitable, maybe even Pep will be wishing that he didn't teach his former student quite so well. Related links:

• Pep Guardiola says It's Anfield; when asked about disallowed City goal
• Mikel Arteta explains why he gave Ethan Nwaneri his Arsenal debut aged 15
• Arsenal fan notices strange occurrence that robbed them of 3 points against Southampton