Jose Mourinho's opinion of Mikel Arteta shows he was right all along about Arsenal boss

Mikel Arteta's journey with Arsenal was previously predicted by Jose Mourinho after the Gunners boss was defeated by the then-Tottenham manager

Arsenal's recent performances perfectly encapsulate the rollercoaster nature of a Premier League title race.

Just a month ago, many had already anointed the Gunners as champions-in-waiting, with a stumbling Manchester City appearing to be their only credible obstacle in ending a 22-year wait for top-flight glory.

Yet a surprise defeat at home to Manchester United, coupled with two draws in their subsequent four fixtures - including squandering a two-goal advantage against bottom-of-the-table Wolves - had supporters and pundits alike seriously questioning whether Mikel Arteta and his squad possessed the mental fortitude to cope with the mounting pressure.

A north London derby away at Tottenham on Sunday presented the litmus test of Arsenal's title aspirations - and they passed it emphatically. In a commanding 4-1 triumph over their struggling rivals, the Gunners not only re-established a five-point cushion at the Premier League summit, but once again vindicated Jose Mourinho's long-held belief in the project.

The Portuguese tactician backed the vision at the Emirates Stadium, always confident that Arteta would eventually guide the club back to the pinnacle of English football - even throughout the more challenging periods.

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Back in December 2020, Spurs - then under Mourinho's stewardship - claimed a two-goal victory over their north London neighbours, a result that left Tottenham perched at the top of the table whilst Arsenal languished in 15th place.

The outcome piled mounting pressure on Arteta, who subsequently steadied the ship to secure seventh place that term - finishing one spot above Spurs, who had parted company with Mourinho in April.

Fast forward to 2026 and the Gunners' triumph at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium not only demonstrates the chasm in quality between the two sides, but also validates the long-term vision Mourinho predicted would bear fruit.

Following Tottenham's 2-0 victory over their north London rivals at the time, the former Chelsea manager lavished praise on Arteta and expressed his conviction about the club's promising trajectory. "I want to give good words and congratulations to Mikel because he gave us a very difficult game," Mourinho said.

"Tactically, they are very good, they were very well organised, they were building with four, defending with five. Then in the second half, they tried to find triangles on the side and they gave us problems, problems that we managed to resolve because the players in this moment have good tactical culture.

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"And even above that, they have an incredible spirit, but they gave us problems because they are a good team and he (Arteta) is a good coach. But we deserved to win, I guess, because two amazing goals."

Mourinho continued: "I can imagine tomorrow there, that the headlines will be about them not being in a good position on the table. But I believe with this players, with Mikel, Arsenal will be Arsenal again."

Although there are likely further twists to come, with City well-placed to clinch the title should they win their remaining fixtures — including the clash against Arsenal — there is no question about the profound impact Arteta has made during the five-plus years since Mourinho's comments.