Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jonathan Gorrie

Mikel Arteta hails Walid Regragui after Morocco boss attended Arsenal manager’s coaching seminar

Mikel Arteta has hailed Morocco manager Walid Regragui

(Picture: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta has refused to take credit for Morocco’s run to the World Cup semi-final.

The Atlas Lions became the first African team to reach the final four by beating Portugal, setting up a mouth-watering tie with holders France on Wednesday evening.

It has since emerged that manager Walid Regragui – who was only appointed in August – attended a coaching seminar held by the Arsenal manager last year.

Arteta was reportedly presenting a session based on tactics, using Arsenal’s win over Manchester City as an example to explain his coaching and philosophies.

The 40-year-old led the Gunners to the top of the Premier League before the World Cup and holds a five-point advantage over champions City, with the two teams finally set to meet on February 15.

Regragui, meanwhile, has been hailed as the mastermind behind Morocco’s run, knitting a strong defensive base together with a number of hugely talented attacking players to take the tournament by storm.

Of the Morocco manager, Arteta said: "The impact he’s having, his service, It’s total credit to them.

“What he’s doing is amazing, what the team is transmitting is great. I think it’s a really positive thing for world football to have an African team at this stage”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.