Mikel Arteta will be hoping he can get one over on Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United as Arsenal visit Old Trafford on Sunday – repeating a trick he pulled some 15 years ago...CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Cristiano Ronaldo has accumulated more silverware than Buckingham Palace over the years, but he hasn’t had it all his own way – he once got pipped to an award by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
The careers of the two respective players make for somewhat desperate reading for Arteta, who only won a couple of FA Cups and the Scottish Premier League title during his playing days. Ronaldo, on the other hand, has won three Premier League titles, five Ballon d’Or awards and five Champions Leagues, plus countless other team and individual accolades.
Yet Arteta got the nod over a fledgling Ronaldo when it came to the Midfielder of the Year award in 2007, conducted by Sky Sports.
The broadcaster polled 55,000 supporters at the end of the 2006-07 season to find the Premier League’s best midfielder. United star Ronaldo only came second in the vote, losing out to then-Everton ace Arteta.
Arteta amassed over 5,000 votes more than the Portuguese winger, taking home an impressive 31% of the vote. The Spaniard also beat off competition from the likes of Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard to claim the award.
It was a season to remember for Arteta, who scored nine goals and won the club’s Player of the Year award as David Moyes’ side recorded a sixth-place finish in the Premier League, finishing two points behind Tottenham.
Arteta will be hoping to get the better of Ronaldo once again on Sunday as he takes his Arsenal side to Old Trafford. The Gunners have enjoyed a faultless start to the season, winning their opening five games to top the league table.
United will no pushovers after hitting their stride under Erik ten Hag following a stuttering start, but Arsenal will be full of confidence as they bid to make it six wins from six.
Whatever happens at the home of the United, the Gunners will remain on top of the pile for another week at least after Manchester City could only draw against Aston Villa on Saturday.
