‘Mikel Arteta almost ditched Arsenal for Premier League rival’: Chelsea legend claims

Chelsea legend, John Terry has revealed that Mikel Arteta almost ditched Arsenal to become the manager of Premier League rival, Newcastle United.

According to Terry, Newcastle United approached himself and Mikel Arteta to replace Rafa Benitez in 2019.

In 2019, Newcastle were on the lookout for a new manager after Benitez opted against penning a new contract.

Terry and Arteta were early into their retirement as players and working as understudies to more experienced managers.

Though Newcastle United ended up appointing Steve Bruce, Mikel Arteta could have ended up in the dugout.

Terry made the startling admission while discussing his own managerial ambitions. He told the Up Front with Simon Jordan podcast: “I had the owners of Newcastle in my house. They flew down in a helicopter. We spoke, they spoke to Arteta, myself and ended up going with Brucey.

“I look back now and, Jesus, some of the questions I was miles off it. I didn’t think about it but it was such a good learning curve. I’m glad I didn’t get it because I was miles out of my depth. But that kind of poked the bear a bit for the next couple (of interviews).”

Arteta would become Arsenal boss just six months later and has gone on to win trophies with the London club. They are also in contention to win the Premier League this season.