Mikel Arteta admits he had no intention of joining Rangers before a deal between PSG and Barcelona collapsed.
The Spanish midfielder was on loan at the French club from the Catalan giants when they were drawn against Rangers in a two-legged UEFA Cup tie, which Gers eventually won on penalties. Arteta made an impression on the Ibrox club and his name was noted for any future transfer opportunities.
Ibrox made an impression on Arteta as well, but the current Arsenal boss was happy with life in the French capital and was keen to stay on a permanent basis. However, a deal couldn’t be reach to take him there from Barca, and that’s when Rangers took their chance. And his Govan experience meant Arteta was more than happy to make the move when it became clear that Paris was off the table after being blown away by the big game atmosphere.
Speaking on a special Sky Sports Transfer 360 programme, Arteta said: “We played the first time at Ibrox and I was stunned. I was amazed with the atmosphere, probably the best that I experienced at the time. When they contacted me, it made a lot of sense. It made sense for me to prepare for the future as well so that was a big part of me making the decision to join Rangers.
“PSG wasn’t an option because they couldn’t agree terms with Barcelona. I was really happy there and my intention was to stay in Paris.
“I had so much to do still but I was really happy. I was starting in a magnificent team with a manager that believed in me. But they could not agree with Barca and I had to make a decision.”
Arteta slotted into the Rangers midfield under Alex McLeish alongside homegrown club captain Barry Ferguson. And as a nip and tuck title race went to the wire, the Spaniard was forced to step up and spare his skipper’s blushes at Dens Park.
Ferguson had already missed two penalties when Rangers were awarded a third late on. And it was Arteta who shouldered the pressure and showed Ferguson how it was done to secure what would be vital point.
“Since I was a kid, I always played the game to make things happen,” he said. “To participate and feel in moments where responsibility is required, that you are there.
“For certain things, you might be the best to do it. For other things, your teammates are better. But always be there. Never hide. That’s really important because that’s when I really enjoy something.”
But there pressure penalties of pressure penalties were still to come. Rangers and Celtic went into the final day of the 2002/2003 season separated only by goal difference. The Light Blues only had to match their rivals’ result, and the Hoops missed a spot kick of their own at Kilmarnock, but were four goals up with Rangers at home Dunfermline, who silenced Ibrox with a first-half equaliser.
With McLeish’s men 5-1 up in stoppage time, another Celtic goal would seen the title heading to Parkhead. But Arteta was handed the chance to make sure with a penalty, and he made no mistake. “It was crazy, honestly,” he said. “That club is so special. The crowd, the people, the atmosphere, it was crazy. The rivalry between the two clubs.
“It was the last second of the league. To score the goal, to lose it or win it, was really special. I had my family there, my wife. It was beautiful.
“Make the journey together, that process together with people that you trust is something very, very important. I’ve been very lucky with that.”