Mikel Arteta has said that Anfield is the toughest ground he has played in.
Mikel Arteta, who played for Everton and Arsenal before joining Manchester City as a coach has said that Anfield is the toughest ground for the opposition in world football.
The Spanish International does not have words to describe the manner in which the Gunners were once annihilated 5-1 by Liverpool in 2014. He has played at Nou Camp, Allianz Arena and Old Trafford, but names Anfield as the toughest ever ground for the opposition.
He was asked if he was surprised by Liverpool’s title charge last season. The former Arsenal midfielder replied: “No, because it is very difficult to beat them. Also, in my playing career, Anfield was the only ground where in which I had the feeling of ‘pájara’, of being stuck.
It happened to me with Arsenal, and we conceded five… You say: ‘I do not know what’s going on, stop the game, please, because I do not know where I am. It’s hard to explain, but it never happened to me anywhere other than Anfield.
Barça surprise me by the form of some of their goals, but at Anfield you can concede five without knowing.
Neither in Spain nor in Greece or Germany did I have that feeling. Not even in Old Trafford.” said Arteta.
The 37-year-old spent six years at Everton between 2005 and 2011 before Arsene Wenger snapped him for the Gunners. He went on to make 149 appearances for the London club before hanging up his boots three years ago.
He was integrated with Pep Guardiola upon his club take over in 2016. He was linked with the managerial job at Arsenal, but the Gunners representatives chose the experienced Unai Emery over Arteta.
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Manchester City will take on Liverpool for the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium on August 4. The Blues created history with Domestic treble, whereas Jurgen Klopp’s men lifted the Champions League – aiding success to the Premier League.
