Jose Mourinho mocks Arteta as loan of Gunners to Bernabeu urged

Jose Mourinho laughed at Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta after the north London side announced the manager’s new long‑term deal, while a Spanish journalist publicly called for the Gunners to send midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino on loan to Real Madrid’s Estadio Bernabeu.

Arteta’s new contract and vision

On October 7 Arsenal confirmed on its official website that Arteta had signed a fresh long‑term contract. The manager, appointed in December 2019, guided the club to Premier League title success last season and to the Champions League final in the same campaign. In the club statement Arteta said, “It’s a privilege to commit my future to the club and to continue to work with exceptional people who want the best for Arsenal. This club is unique, its character and the way it makes you feel, and I have a great sense of privilege that our journey together will continue… we have already built a special bond and created memories that will last a lifetime, and what is so exciting is that this is only the beginning of what we can achieve together.”

Mourinho’s mockery and Madrid’s standards

During a press conference on Friday, Mourinho alluded to Arteta’s comments, suggesting that the Gunners were merely “just starting” while Madrid operate on a different magnitude. He said, “When you have little effective work on the field to do, you have much more time to analyse every detail… That doesn’t mean we need to change something drastically. For that, you need work and time.” Mourinho also noted that Madrid are six points behind leaders Barcelona in fourth place in LaLiga, while Arsenal sit second in the Premier League with twelve points from five matches, three points behind leaders Manchester City.

He added that Madrid “have won so much that everything has a different magnitude” and reminded listeners of a recent defeat to Atletico, saying, “We lost against Atletico because the match should have been 11 against 9. That’s true, but I can’t dwell on it. I have to look for improvements in areas under our control, and we’re doing that. Tomorrow, we’ll try to make adjustments to improve in some aspects.”

Loan call for Zubimendi and Merino

Arsenal’s depth means that Spanish internationals Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino are not guaranteed a place in the starting line‑up. After Spain’s win against Croatia, Spanish journalist Tomas Roncero publicly urged the Gunners to loan the two players to Madrid, stating, “I know you won the Premier League and were runners‑up in the UEFA Champions League, but how is it possible that you have Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino on the bench? I mean, send them to me, to Real Madrid. Let me have them, loan them to me. My God, Arteta. How can these guys not be starters if they’re two footballing machines?”

No official loan agreements have been announced, and both clubs have yet to comment on the feasibility of such moves. The speculation adds another layer to the ongoing dialogue between the two managers, with Mourinho’s jibes and Roncero’s plea highlighting the contrasting expectations at the Bernabeu and the Emirates.