|
Speaking of the derby he said - It was just incredible, incredible, incredible. I have never experienced an atmosphere like it in my whole life. Both sets of fans simply did not stop singing and cheering. I must admit there were moments when I was concentrating more on what was going on in the stands than I was on the match itself.
"Perhaps the Rangers and Celtic game does not have so much of an impact in Europe but, for me, the atmosphere is better than anything I have seen in the big Spanish derby because of the passion of the people. It's a great honour to be the first Spaniard to play in the Glasgow derby, never mind score in it."
He said the rough stuff dished out by Celtic suited them "because they are physically stronger than us and more used to playing a long- ball game, whereas we are more technically minded. But we could not complain about a 3-3 draw. That was a just result."
A word of warning though for Rangers - we'll have to match Mikel's ambition if we are to keep players like him and attract other class players in the future - "Although I am very happy in Glasgow I'm not going to deny my big dream is to some day play for Barca. But the fact is Barcelona say there is no place for me and I have to respect their decision. That's why it was clear in my mind that I had to move on in the summer because I had to keep on learning."
Arteta is currently on Spanish U21 duty and should face Northern Ireland tonight.
Discuss on message board