Mikel Arteta explains how one former coach taught him the “power of a manager” before taking the job at Arsenal

The Spanish midfielder was still a teenager when he arrived in the French capital and had not appeared on the senior side of the parent club.

He claims that at the time PSG manager Luis Fernandez showed the importance of a good manager by helping him build confidence while playing in League One.

“Lewis (Fernandez) did it,” Arteta said. “The manager did that. I think there are moments when you realize the power of a manager and the power to feel someone who is certain about your abilities.

“I wasn’t prepared because I didn’t have it, I wasn’t physically prepared. I wasn’t mentally competitive, competitive, to do it. I had to learn a lot.

“But I was sure he convinced me. He made me ten times better in one meeting.

“That’s it. It’s not training. At one meeting, he made me feel that. And the next day he played me as a starter next to all these players.

“And he had the power to pass on that belief to someone, and certainly with me. And at that moment he changed me as a footballer.

“That day, I became an expert without even playing football.”

Fernandez enjoyed a variety of careers with management teams responsible for many European clubs, including Athletic Bilbao, Real Betis and Espanyol on the Spanish side.

Arteta made 53 appearances in all French club competitions during the Lone spell, scoring five goals and generating five assists.

Arteta revealed that Rangers manager Alex McLeash played an important role in bringing him to Glasgow.

“So I was very happy in Paris. I did a year and a half there,” he added.

“I wanted to continue. Something happened around the club, and we couldn’t make it happen.

“But throughout that time in the Champions League, I went to Glasgow, playing against the Rangers, I couldn’t believe what I witnessed and experienced.

“So two weeks later, they came to San Sebastian to talk to my agent, my dad and actually me.

“I said, I want to hear it and have another experience. The manager, in that case, the sports director, also really convinced me.

“So I said that if I want to be one of the best midfielders, I need to be able to adapt to a variety of contexts and situations.”

The Gunners won a 1-0 victory at Manchester United, 5-0 at home, and 1-0 for Leeds. However, in the final match before the international break, they lost 1-0 to welcome Liverpool to the champions at Anfield.