Mikel Arteta reveals incredible players he shared Barcelona dorm with
- Barcelona signed Mikel Arteta as a teenager in 1997
- Midfielder failed to break into first team but rubbed shoulders with legendary players
- Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol among former roommates
By Sean Walsh
Mikel Arteta has opened up on his experiences coming through the ranks at Barcelona, including sharing a dorm room with several future club legends.
The Arsenal manager enjoyed a fine playing career, making 539 appearances across spells with the Gunners, Everton, Real Sociedad, Rangers, Paris Saint-Germain and Barca's B team.
Born in San Sebastian in the north of Spain and a childhood friend of Xabi Alonso, Arteta joined Barcelona's famed La Masia academy as a teenager, moving to their campus in Catalonia.
Ahead of Arsenal's Champions League dead-rubber fixture away at PSV Eindhoven, Arteta was asked about the difficulties of breaking into a competitive first team, drawing on his experiences with Barcelona.
"It was very difficult. The country was very very different," Arteta said. "I used to live in a room with bunk beds. There were eight of us. There was Pepe Reina, goalkeeper at Barcelona, Victor Valdes, Andres Iniesta, Thiago Motta, Carles Puyol, myself.
"So there was huge competition within a room already. You know, we were all like little brothers living with each other but the competition was fearless. And that's probably what it made us after.
"So when you have to compete with other players, you are ready. But it's always very tough to put them in the environment that is very close to what they find in the future."
Though Arteta was considered a top prospect and had a respectable career, he never made an appearance for Barcelona's first team.
He has overseen the development of several promising youngsters at Arsenal during his time as manager, including Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe.
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