Arsenal: Mikel Arteta explains how his new Under Armour role will benefit Gunners | OneFootball

Gunners boss will focus on developing the next generation of athletes

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes his new role as Under Armour’s director of performance will make him a better coach.

The Arsenal manager will share insights with Under Armour in areas such as product development, talent identification and leadership.

Arteta will also focus on developing the next generation of athletes through a leading role in Under Armour’s Next programme.

Kevin Plank, founder & CEO of Under Armour, views the signing of Arteta as a “flag in the ground” as the American sportswear company push further into football.

UnderArmour

Under Armour has proved successful in other sports, with basketball star Steph Curry and golfer Jordan Spieth among their roster of athletes.

Arteta is excited to work with the company and will utilise the chance to learn from other sports by using Under Armour’s network.

The Arsenal manager is a big believer in taking inspiration from other sports and was previously part of a coaching group with former England rugby head coach Eddie Jones.

“I think there are things that have been invented in other sports that they are not in football yet,” said Arteta.

“So, I think in any aspect, in many process especially, in our industry we are far behind and in the ones that we are ahead, we can share them and they can become better.

“Just facilitating the job, the way you are thinking, to understand how decisions are made at the highest level as well.

Why they make those decisions? The timing that they use, the reason why we make them, for me I find incredible valuable, as well

Mikel Arteta

“Why they make those decisions? The timing that they use, the reason why we make them, for me I find incredible valuable, as well.

Arteta has vowed to take football to a “different level” by working with Under Armour, who first started talks with him about coming on board nearly 18 months ago.

“Why I decided to do it? It is again because of the people,” said Arteta. "It is a remarkable brand and I knew all about it.

“The ambition that we have in Europe and through as well my vision and my understanding of that, how can I help with that collaboration to make them more aware, more knowledgeable - and then, talent.

“I think I have a big passion for developing talent, recruiting talent, but understanding how to evolve talent and from various ways.

“We are extremely creative, we have a team supporting us to develop our products, and then we go, let’s navigate the journey and see where it takes us.”