I know the real Mikel Arteta – Arsenal boss acts very differently in private

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is actually a very upbeat individual away from football and adopts an aggressive persona for the media, according to former Gunners midfielder Anders Limpar.

The Spanish boss frequently appears frustrated and confrontational during post-match interviews and press conferences. Although his spell in charge has delivered just one trophy, an FA Cup in 2020, Arteta has steered Arsenal from strength to strength and transformed them into annual Premier League title challengers.

The Gunners have finished as runners-up for the past three campaigns but appear poised to launch a fierce challenge for the championship this term. Arteta has developed a reputation as an exasperated and harsh figure in post-match discussions where he regularly deflects questions posed to him or criticises refereeing decisions.

However, Limpar, who represented the Gunners between 1990 and 1994, insists this is merely a façade for the press and Arteta is actually a very cheerful character away from the spotlight.

"From my experience as a player, when you are happy the media will hang you. It is exactly the same for a manager. If you are happy and positive, they will hang you," Limpar said to AceOdds.com.

"Outside of football, Arteta is not grumpy at all. He is actually very happy. I have met him a couple of times and when he is doing interviews, that is not the real Arteta. That is the professional Arteta.

"All the players and Arteta are media trained. I don't think he is awkward or grumpy. He is a modern manager who has to be the way he is. If not, the press is actually going to hang you.

"Arteta is very honest. He is always honest, and being honest and happy doesn't really go hand in hand. In my opinion, he is dealing with the media in the right way.

"I am just happy he is always honest, even when they lose," concluded Limpar, who made over 100 appearances for Arsenal. "Even if he is a bit grumpy, I have no problem with that."

The Arsenal boss is quite conscious of the excuse-laden and frequently irritated persona he presents in press conferences. Last campaign, when it became clear the title challenge was essentially finished following a 1-1 stalemate with Manchester United, Arteta was questioned about the distance between the Gunners and eventual winners Liverpool.

"I have to ask you about the title race because it's 15 points now, is it too much," asked Sky Sports' Patrick Davison. Arteta responded: "No, thank you." He then walked away from the interview.

Seven days later, his team took on Chelsea and Arteta was eager to poke fun at his early departure from the previous interview, suggesting he recognises how others might view him.

Speaking again to Sky Sports, Arteta insisted his side merited their 1-0 win over Chelsea and when asked whether Bukayo Saka would shortly return from injury, he playfully exited the discussion. Arteta quickly came back, grinning, and declared: "Yeah he's got every chance [of returning]."

He then proceeded to give a comprehensive interview about the match. "I'm very happy, obviously, with the result and with big parts of the performance," he said.

"We had a lot of chances and then we concede almost nothing apart from a strange save from David [Raya]. That's huge credit to the team because in my opinion, Chelsea are the best attacking team in the league."

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