Former Corinthians striker, Jô, has spoken highly of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, whom he played with at Everton, calling him a ‘spectacular guy’.

Speaking to ESPN in Brazil, former Everton and Manchester City forward, Jô, described Arteta as a “spectacular guy” who helped him learn English while they played together at Goodison Park.

According to the former centre-forward, Arteta would only speak to Jô in English, even though Jô had no prior knowledge of the language.

Arteta, the current Arsenal manager, is widely regarded as one of the best coaches of the new generation. However, before he stepped into the coaching arena, Arteta was a standout midfielder for several clubs, including Everton, where he spent six and a half years.

During his time at Everton, Arteta not only helped the club finish fourth in his first season but also became a reference for technical and behavioural excellence on and off the field.

Jô recalled that when he first joined Everton, only Arteta and another player spoke Spanish, while Jô only spoke Portuguese. As a result, Arteta suggested that they speak only in English to help Jô improve his language skills.

Jô said that, at first, he thought Arteta was joking, but soon realised that he was serious. Arteta would only speak to Jô in English, even when Jô didn’t understand. Jô said that Arteta would tell him he would be grateful later for the improvement in his English skills.

Arteta’s dedication and commitment to helping his teammate improve his language skills exemplify his leadership qualities and his willingness to help others. It is a testament to his character and professionalism.

Arteta’s performances at Everton earned him two player of the season awards and the Premier League midfielder of the year award.

When Arteta left Everton in 2011 to join Arsenal, it was a bittersweet moment for the club. Everton manager, David Moyes, had to sell Arteta to Arsenal, and he remarked that Arteta was an exceptional player, and they missed him.

Arteta won several trophies with Arsenal, including two FA Cups and two Community Shields. In 2020, he won the FA Cup and Community Shield as Arsenal manager, cementing his reputation as one of the best young coaches in the game.

In conclusion, Jô’s recent comments about Arteta serve as a reminder of the exceptional qualities of the Arsenal manager.

Arteta’s commitment to helping his teammate learn English and his leadership skills at Everton set him apart from his peers, and he has carried those same qualities into his coaching career.

Who is Jô?

Full name is João Alves de Assis Silva, Jô was a Brazilian professional football player who has played as a striker for several clubs in Brazil, Europe, and Japan. He was born on March 20, 1987, in São Paulo, Brazil.

Jô began his career with Corinthians in 2003, where he won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2005 and the Copa do Brasil in 2009. In 2006, he moved to CSKA Moscow in Russia, where he won three Russian Premier League titles, one Russian Cup, and one UEFA Cup. During his time at CSKA Moscow, Jô also scored the winning goal in the final of the 2008 UEFA Cup against Sporting CP.

In 2008, Jô signed for English Premier League side Manchester City for a fee of £18 million, which was a record fee for a Brazilian player at the time. However, he struggled to adapt to the English game and only scored one goal in 21 appearances before being loaned out to Everton and later to Galatasaray.

After a spell with Atletico Mineiro in Brazil, Jô returned to Corinthians in 2017, where he won another Campeonato Brasileiro Série A title. He then moved to Nagoya Grampus in Japan in 2018, where he became a fan favourite and finished as the team’s top scorer in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

Jô returned to Corinthians for a third spell in 2020, where he struggled to make an impact. He then signed for Japanese side Nagoya Grampus again in 2021 on loan, before a free move to Ceara SC in Brazil for a few months after he cancelled his Corinthians contract.

He then moved to Al-Jabalain at the end of January 2023 but just a month later Jô retired from playing at the age of 35.

Throughout his career, Jô also represented the Brazilian national team, earning his first cap in 2007. He scored five goals in 20 appearances for Brazil and was a member of the squad that won the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013.