What De Zerbi’s Tottenham appointment means for Arsenal and Arteta

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Roberto De Zerbi has been appointed as Tottenham’s new head coach, marking the fourth different manager Arsenal will face from their north London rivals within the span of a year.

According to Football London, the Italian has been offered substantial financial backing and a lengthy five-year contract to take charge of a Spurs side currently fighting relegation and facing the real possibility of Championship football next season.

The appointment represents a significant gamble for Tottenham, with De Zerbi tasked with steering the club away from the drop zone while potentially rebuilding for the future should they maintain their Premier League status.

Head-to-head record

While Arteta may not face De Zerbi for the remainder of this season, the pair have an intriguing history from the Italian’s time at Brighton. Their first meeting came in 2022 when De Zerbi’s Brighton knocked Arsenal out of the League Cup with a 3-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal secured revenge later that year with a 4-2 triumph at the Amex Stadium on New Year’s Eve. However, De Zerbi’s most significant victory over Arteta came with a 3-0 win at the Emirates that effectively ended Arsenal’s title hopes in May 2023.

The 2023/24 season saw Arteta gain the upper hand, with Arsenal winning both encounters 2-0 and 3-0 respectively. The Spaniard now holds a 3-2 advantage in their head-to-head record.

Mutual respect

Despite their competitive rivalry on the pitch, Arteta has consistently expressed admiration for De Zerbi’s coaching abilities. This respect was evident when Arsenal sent Ethan Nwaneri on loan to Marseille while the Italian was managing the French club.

Arteta revealed that De Zerbi’s presence was a key factor in choosing Marseille as Nwaneri’s destination. The Arsenal manager praised the Italian as “an incredible developer of young talent” and highlighted his “courageous” approach to playing young players.

“Having all the options, understand the experience that we had in Marseille as well with William Saliba, the fact that Roberto is there and he’s an incredible developer of young talent and he’s a really courageous manager in the way he plays,” Arteta explained at the time.

While De Zerbi’s departure from Marseille complicated Nwaneri’s loan spell, the mutual respect between the two coaches remains evident. For Arsenal, facing a manager of De Zerbi’s calibre will present fresh tactical challenges, particularly if Spurs can avoid relegation and rebuild under his guidance.

The appointment adds another layer of intrigue to future north London derbies, with Arsenal set to face a coach whom Arteta clearly holds in high regard despite their on-field battles.