Inside Mikel Arteta’s Rangers Transfer as Arsenal Boss Reveals He Had a Different Plan Entirely
Mikel Arteta, the current Arsenal manager, has opened up about his near move to Rangers back in 2011, revealing that he had a very different career trajectory in mind before his eventual switch to the Premier League. The Spanish coach’s move from Everton to Arsenal was a significant turning point in his playing career, but it could have been very different if he had joined Scottish giants Rangers instead.
In an exclusive interview, Arteta admitted that Rangers, under then-manager Walter Smith, were heavily interested in signing him while he was still at Goodison Park. The move was reportedly close, with Rangers looking to bring Arteta to Ibrox to strengthen their midfield. Arteta, who was in his prime at Everton, was keen on the possibility but was also acutely aware of his ambitions for playing at the highest level.
“At that time, I was thinking about the next step in my career,” Arteta said. “Rangers were very keen on me, and it was an exciting option. The Scottish league at that point was still very competitive, and the idea of playing for a club with such history was tempting. However, I had always dreamed of playing in the Premier League, and when the opportunity at Arsenal came up, it was too good to turn down.”
Rangers, who were dominating the Scottish Premiership at the time, looked like an ideal fit for Arteta. However, a combination of circumstances and Arteta’s desire to push himself in the English top flight led him to turn down the move. In the end, he made the decision to join Arsenal in a £10 million deal in 2011, a transfer that proved to be a career-defining one.
Looking back, Arteta, now in charge of Arsenal, reflected on how close he was to making the switch to Scotland, but also how his career evolved in a completely different direction. “When you’re making those big decisions in your career, there’s a lot of uncertainty. I could have ended up in a different place, but the move to Arsenal felt right for me.”
Arteta’s career path took another unexpected twist when he transitioned into management with Arsenal in 2019. Despite the uncertainty of his playing days, the decision to join Arsenal not only changed his life but has given him the platform to prove his managerial credentials. Now, as a young manager leading a resurgent Arsenal, Arteta’s reflections on that pivotal time highlight the unpredictable nature of football.
For fans of both Rangers and Arsenal, the revelation is a reminder of how close Arteta came to a very different career trajectory. Had he moved to Rangers, his playing days might have unfolded in a way that would have been far removed from his current role in north London.
