'I could tell Mikel Arteta would be a manager when we were at Everton together'
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta showed signs of a career in management even when he playing for Everton.
That is according to former senior Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 44-year-old spent six years at Goodison Park and made over 200 appearances for the Toffees before leaving in 2011.
Arteta would go on to retire at Arsenal, returning to replace Unai Emery in 2019 after three-and-a-half years as Pep Guardiola's assistant.
The Spaniard left in an unattractive fashion but remains a popular figure among the Everton fanbase, having spoken of his appreciation for his former club on several occasions.
There had even been a suggestion that Arteta would return to manage at Everton at one point, but the appointment never materialised.
'He always had a question for David Moyes'
Many have spoken of how they knew Arteta would go on to be a manager, but few could have imagined just how successful he would be.
The Spaniard has transformed Arsenal in the almost-seven years since his appointment and finally ended the wait for Premier League glory in May, with his team just a few penalty kicks away from a historic double in the Champions League, too.
Arsenal have started this season in fine form and do not look to be satisfied with just the one Premier League title, with Arteta also in talks over a new contract.
Speaking to Football Insider, King explained: "He was a classy footballer and a very nice lad. Always said hello and asked what you're doing, a very very nice lad. When I see him charging about on the line now I think, 'where's he got all that from?'
"He always had a question for Moyesy [David Moyes]. When things were being said, he could see things that other people couldn't see, if you know what I mean.
"He'd always query things. If he didn't think it was correct, he would ask 'why do you say that?' Or, 'why are you saying it in that way? Or whatever.
"Oh he's clever. He's like Guardiola, and Guardiola took him as an assistant. The one thing with coaching is you can't do it all yourself. You need help, so bring in the right people."
What has Mikel Arteta said about Everton?
It is not out of the question that Arteta does indeed return to Everton at some point, although it is unlikely to come any time soon.
"I went there on my first day and there in that stadium presentation, it feels good," the Spaniard told BBC Sport when asked about his time on Merseyside in 2024.
"Sometimes you don't understand why it feels good. You get in the dressing room and when you open the door and people are looking at you, you see the body language, faces, it feels good straight away.
"You connect with the team, you connect with the players, you connect with the staff, you connect with the supporters and it flows. That feeling is needed. You feel confident, you feel excited every morning to get out of your bed and go to training. We had some unbelievable years together."