Arsenal coach Arteta feels his ex-Barcelona teammate Thiago Motta proved ‘personality’ by choosing Juventus and is confident the Bianconeri will finish the next Serie A campaign in a better position thanks to their new boss.
Arsenal coach Arteta is confident his ex-teammate Motta will bring Juventus back to greatness.
The ex-Bologna boss is expected to sign a three-year contract with the Serie A giants next week.
“We are the same age. I’ve known him since 1999 when we were underage and played for Barcelona B,” Arteta told Thursday’s printed edition of Tuttosport newspaper on page nine.
“That’s when we became friends. We were teammates and played in the same role, midfield. He was really strong. Technical and with great physicality. Brazilian feet and Italian grit. An excellent mix.”
Thiago Motta: Arsenal coach Arteta makes Juventus prediction
What does he think Motta will achieve at Juventus?
“I can only say good things about him as the Juventus coach,” said Arteta.
“He did the right thing in going to a top club after a magnificent adventure at the helm of Bologna. Who would predict Bologna would qualify for the Champions League? He earned so many points.
“Thiago has always had a big personality, and he confirmed this by choosing Juventus. With him on the bench, the Bianconeri won’t stay behind in the table as they have in the last three seasons.”
Motta was appointed by Bologna in September 2022 and won 35 games from 76 at the Stadio Dall’Ara.
Under his guidance this season, the Rossoblu qualified for the Champions League for the first time ever. The first and only time they had played in Europe’s elite competition was in 1964-65 when it was called the ‘European Cup.’
Motta informed Bologna last week that he would not extend his contract, which expires this coming June.