What Happened to Mikel Arteta's First Arsenal Xi? Why Did Arteta Leave Arsenal?
by Rajesh | Updated Jul 29, 2023
What Happened to Mikel Arteta's First Arsenal XI?
Mikel Arteta's first Arsenal XI, which took to the field in December 2019 for a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth, saw several players face diverse paths in their careers. Bernd Leno, once the Arsenal number one, struggled to find his footing and eventually moved to Fulham.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles showed promise in various positions initially but was later sent out on loan and released by Arsenal, currently searching for a new club. Sokratis, the Greek center-back, was among the senior players let go by Arteta and joined Olympiacos.
David Luiz, never a fan favorite, left for Flamengo in Brazil. However, the versatile Bukayo Saka flourished as a winger, becoming a key player for the club. Lucas Torreira failed to make a significant impact and ended up at Galatasaray, while Granit Xhaka thrived under Arteta but eventually moved to Bayer Leverkusen.
Reiss Nelson had sporadic starts, while Mesut Ozil fell out of favor and eventually retired after playing in Turkey. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's relationship with Arteta soured, leading to moves to Barcelona and then Chelsea, and finally, Alexandre Lacazette left for Lyon after struggling to score enough goals for Arsenal.
When Did Arteta Leave Arsenal as a Player?
Mikel Arteta left Arsenal as a player at the end of the 2016 season. The Spanish midfielder joined Arsenal in August 2011 from Everton and quickly became a key figure in the team. During his time at Arsenal, Arteta showcased his excellent passing abilities and leadership qualities, earning the respect and admiration of the fans. He served as the club's vice-captain and played a vital role in the midfield.
However, as injuries began to take a toll on his playing time, Arteta announced his decision to retire from professional football at the end of the 2015-2016 season. Following his retirement, Arteta immediately transitioned into a coaching role, joining Manchester City's coaching staff under Pep Guardiola before eventually returning to Arsenal as the club's manager in December 2019.
Where are They Now?
As of today, let's take a look at where the players from Mikel Arteta's first Arsenal XI are now. Bernd Leno, who was in goal for that game, has moved on to Fulham. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who played as right-back, has been released by Arsenal and is currently without a club. Sokratis and David Luiz, the center-back pairing, are no longer at the club, with Sokratis playing for Olympiacos in Greece, and Luiz returning to Brazil to play for Flamengo.
The left-back, Bukayo Saka, has flourished as a right-winger and remains a key player for Arsenal. In the midfield, Lucas Torreira now plays for Galatasaray after loan spells, while Granit Xhaka is one of the two survivors and continues to be an important part of the Arsenal squad.
The attacking trio of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil, and Reiss Nelson have all moved on to different clubs, with Aubameyang playing for Marseille, Ozil retiring after a stint in Turkey, and Nelson's future currently unconfirmed. Finally, Alexandre Lacazette, the striker, left Arsenal on a free transfer and has found success back at Lyon.
Why Did Arteta Leave Arsenal?
Mikel Arteta left Arsenal as a player in August 2016 primarily due to his decision to retire from professional football. At the time, Arteta had been with Arsenal since August 2011, serving as a crucial midfielder and even holding the position of vice-captain. However, as his career progressed, he faced persistent injury issues that affected his playing time and form.
Recognizing that his body could no longer sustain the demands of top-level football, Arteta made the difficult choice to step away from the game and hang up his boots. Following his retirement, Arteta swiftly transitioned into a coaching role, starting his coaching journey under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. This path eventually led him back to Arsenal, where he returned as the club's manager in December 2019, aiming to make an impact from the touchline instead.
What Happened To Mikel Arteta's First Arsenal Xi - FAQs
Mikel Arteta left Arsenal as a player at the end of the 2015-2016 season.
Bernd Leno is currently playing for Fulham.
Bukayo Saka now plays as a right-winger.
Mesut Ozil retired from professional football after playing in Turkey.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is currently playing for Marseille.