Mikel Arteta says that Johan Cruyff would need to moderate his Total Football philosophy if he were Arsenal manager today, as he vowed to continue the counter-attack revolution he has instigated at the club and resist football's possession purists.
Arteta, graduate of Barcelona's world famous La Masia, the youth academy that produced Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta is regarded as the home of passing football. He was once a Cruyff disciple is also a friend, confidante and former No 2 to Pep Guardiola, the high priest of possession.
And yet he is now the man who regularly beats the biggest teams playing on the counter attack with long balls and 40 per cent possession, with Liverpool falling victim again in the Carabao Cup last week after also losing the Community Shield to Arteta's team.