Bournemouth v Arsenal: Andoni Iraola set for Mikel Arteta reunion

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola stirs up reminiscences of his youth by spending time on the south coast’s breezy seashores – and this weekend there can be one other reminder of his early days when he faces childhood buddy Mikel Arteta within the Premier League.

The pair are a part of a exceptional group of managers to have come from the tiny Gipuzkoa space of northern Spain.

One of these bosses, Julen Lopetegui, left Wolves earlier than the season started, however Unai Emery stays at Aston Villa.

Yet their shared roots within the Basque Country are eclipsed by the bond that unites Iraola, Arsenal supervisor Arteta and Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, the previous Liverpool and Spain midfielder. The trio all performed youth soccer for novice membership Antiguoko on the similar time.

“It was a very nice period,” Iraola instructed BBC Sport.

“You are eight, nine, 10 years old and you are playing with your friends on the beach. We didn’t have these hopes when we were playing. We were just kids playing football.”

Iraola nonetheless enjoys the seaside, generally together with his spouse and two younger youngsters, who’re settling into their new life in England and beginning to choose up a little bit of the language, however often he visits on his personal.

“I like to go to the beach, not especially in the summer, just for a walk, when the weather is not so nice. Just to walk, to be with your family or by yourself. Sometimes when there are no people there, just the nature and the beach, it’s really nice,” he mentioned.

The picture of peacefulness and tranquillity appears a world away from the depth of a house sport towards Arsenal and Iraola attempting to beat somebody he was so near when rising up.

“It will be really nice to see Mikel again. He was an amazing player,” mentioned Iraola, who changed Gary O’Neil on the Cherries in June. “He was the one above the remainder. He was the one who left our membership first and joined Barcelona.

“It is true we’ve been fortunate by lastly ending with a soccer profession and likewise turning into coaches afterwards.

“He is doing an amazing job. He has been supported and been improving every season. Last season he was really close to becoming champion. They have started this season really well. They are a very good team.”

Whilst Arteta and Alonso moved nations to additional their careers, Iraola stayed nearer to dwelling.

He made 510 appearances in a 12-year interval for Athletic Bilbao, placing him fifth on the membership’s all-time record. As a participant, he’s most likely remembered most in English circles for the starring function he performed within the two-leg Europa League victory over Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in 2012, when Marcelo Bielsa was in control of Athletic.

Iraola moved into teaching in 2018 and attracted the eye of Leeds throughout his time at Rayo Vallecano, who blocked his departure.

Then he was lined up by Bournemouth to interchange O’Neil when his contract expired within the shut season.

For Iraola, life at Vitality Stadium is sort of a house from dwelling.

“I get the sense it has some similarities to the clubs I have coached before,” mentioned the 41-year-old. “Probably it isn’t the largest stadium and the largest historical past, however for me, it’s an unbelievable probability.

“I’m very completely satisfied. I’ve been made to really feel very welcome. I really feel like everyone seems to be attempting to assist me. The sensation with the gamers and supporters and everybody who’s concerned is sweet.”

Iraola accepts his background is not going to insulate him from the demand to get outcomes.

He has been given a tricky begin, together with early conferences with 4 of the Premier League’s prime six, encounters with two of the highest flight’s most progressive sides in Brighton and Brentford and an opening-day encounter with Europa Conference League winners West Ham.

If Bournemouth get into October outdoors the relegation zone, it might nearly be considered a victory.

The video games that comply with Arsenal’s go to, towards Everton, Wolves and Burnley, will give a better indication of how the marketing campaign as a complete would possibly go for Iraola and his prices.

“Football is way more sophisticated than it appears to be like,” Iraola said. “It is true that you just might need your individual ideas. But it’s important to adapt.

“Do I wish to have the ball? Yes. But it isn’t the primary precedence. I wish to be as shut as we will to the aim. Sometimes we can be on the ball and generally we is not going to.

“In possession we’re enhancing. We want to enhance our defensive work after we are a bit bit decrease. But the group is rising and enhancing and we’ve to maintain it going.”