At 30-years-old, Mikel Arteta is one of the oldest players in the Arsenal squad, even if he might not be ready to admit it. With age comes responsibility, and that is something that the Spanish maestro is enjoying at the Emirates.
Arteta is one of only two players to have played every minute of Arsenal's English Premier League and Champions League games, and the former Everton man knows he needs to lead by example, and show the plethora of Arsenal youngsters the way forward.
In an era when bad-boy footballers are a dime a dozen, Arteta is one of the few gentlemen remaining in the game, and that role is something that the Spaniard takes very seriously.
"On the pitch and away from it I have been trying to behave the way I think we should, because I think we have a big responsibility (as footballers)," Arteta told Arsenal Player.
"Not only for ourselves but for what we represent to other people. We are in a very lucky position and we have to take advantage of that and use it in the right way. Sometimes we make too many mistakes."
Arsenal are known to produce quality youngsters season after season, and these up and coming players will find no better role model than Arteta. "I am still 30, and I'm used to playing with guys who are 34, 35 and 36, but at Arsenal when you get to that age you are one of the oldest, if not the oldest," he said.
"It's a bit funny, but you know inside yourself that you have that responsibility and there are kids who are 17 and 18 and they are looking to you."
A youngster that will look up to Arteta for advice is Thomas Eisfeld, who had an impressive preseason for the Gunners, and has carried on that form for the under-21 side. The 19-year-old is seen as one with a big future at the Emirates, with Arsene Wenger rating the German pretty highly.
Now Eisfeld is looking to break into the first-team, knowing if he continues his impressive form, Wenger will not hesitate to give him a chance. "I've always scored a lot of goals and made a lot of assists," Eisfeld told the club's official magazine. "I think that is important in my position to be able to do that.
"My favourite position is the No. 10 role, so attacking midfield. I don't mind the wings either. But I don't think playing as a central striker is really my position because I'm not the strongest physically.
"Since I've been at Arsenal I've learnt how to play the ball quicker and to pass and move with more effectiveness. I have become stronger too.
"Preseason was really nice and gave me real a confidence boost. I was confident going into it because I know what I am capable of, but I certainly didn't expect to score two goals. I'm really happy with how it went."
