Former Bafana Bafana captain and Blackburn Rovers defender Aaron ‘Mbazo’ Mokoena has revealed why he has a “soft spot” for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Mokoena was playing in the English Premier League in the same era when Arteta played for both Sides Everton and Arsenal.
Mbazo's affection for Arteta stems from the time he accidentally broke his leg while the former Spanish midfielder was playing for Everton.
Mokoena said this when he was predicting who would walk away with the 2024/25 league title, revealing that he does not officially support any team, but has a fondness for the Gunners due to Arteta.
However, he admitted it won’t be easy for the 42-year-old coach to lead the London-based outfit to the Premier League success as long as there’s still Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
AARON MOKOENA REVEALS WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN HIM AND ARTETA
“I don’t really have the team that I have a soft spot for, but I have a soft spot for Arteta,” Mokoena explained to iDiski Times.
“The reason why I have a soft spot for him is because he played football in my era, and I played against him. Unfortunately, I broke his leg when he was at Everton and I was at Blackburn.
“But then you can see that he’s a fantastic student of the game. And he learned from the best. Sitting next to Pep Guardiola and taking over such a big, big team as Arsenal, and doing well. I think he is doing well. Of course.
“I mean, he’s competing with Man City right there. Man City have invested a lot, and have invested a lot in the manager and the players and the manager knows Arteta very well, so it’s going to be difficult for him to win the league anytime soon, as long as Man City is there.
“But you can see that Arteta actually is getting out there and beating teams convincingly, and playing fantastic football that the supporters have been hoping for.
“So, yeah, I truly have a soft spot for him.”
