Nestled between a line of white apartment blocks and a synthetic pitch perched on the rolling hills of Berio in San Sebastián, Antiguoko’s old training ground holds a special place in the memories of three footballing greats – Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. The strip of land, now a public park, was once a rough‑and‑ready arena where these future stars first learned the fundamentals of the beautiful game. Roberto Montiel, the long‑time coach and vice‑president of the club, still remembers the exact spot where the centre‑circle used to sit.
He sits on a bench, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together as he visualises the texture of the old surface. “The pitch wasn’t like the modern one up there,” he says. “It was smaller and covered with tiny stones, almost like gravel.
The balls were heavier, especially when the rain soaked them. You’d slip, you’d slide, and a fall could leave you with a nasty scrape.” The matches played on that gritty field have become the stuff of local legend. Two of those alumni – Arteta and Alonso – will meet again as opposing managers when Arsenal face Chelsea on Sky Sports this Sunday.
Montiel smiles, recalling how even then you could sense their footballing instincts. “Trying to pass a ball on that gravel pitch in the rain, with puddles everywhere and everything getting muddy, was something special to watch. The squads from the ’81 and ’82 generations were extraordinary.” Arteta and Iraola belonged to the younger age group, while Alonso was a year older.
Their teammates recall the side as a “national team of the best players in the area,” an unstoppable Basque Dream Team that routinely thrashed rivals. Alvaro Parra, a former Antiguoko teammate and close friend of Arteta, reminisces: “We used to beat Real Sociedad 5‑0, we did the same to Athletic Club, and we won every league. Everyone called us the Basque Dream Team.” Antiguoko continues to churn out talent.
In their modest offices a mile away, near Ondarreta beach, Montiel jokes that the wall of signed shirts from former graduates is now too crowded – more than forty names now hang there, with Arteta, Alonso and Iraola occupying the places of honour. It still amazes everyone that three boys born within a 15‑mile radius in Gipuzkoa, the smallest Spanish province, have risen to manage Premier League clubs.
Parra admits, “If I really think about it, it’s absolutely crazy that our three friends are now in charge of top English teams. Sometimes I turn on the TV and say, ‘Oh, it’s Mikel! Oh, it’s Xabi! What on earth happened?’” Arteta was the standout even as a child.
Yanguas, a former striker who played alongside him, describes the young midfielder as “small, very technical and always thinking a step ahead.” Yanguas later joined Barcelona’s La Masia academy with Arteta and jokes that his former teammate made him look better than he was. Parra, a centre‑back at the time, echoes the sentiment: “All I had to do was pass to Mikel, Mikel to me, and we scored.” Montiel has countless anecdotes about the old gravel pitch, many of which highlight Arteta’s early intelligence. He recalls a drop‑ball situation against Real Sociedad: “The referee blew for a drop ball, and as soon as it hit the ground Arteta flicked it with the outside of his boot, sent a long pass to a teammate in space, and they scored. He was always alert.” Even when he was a year younger than Alonso, Arteta displayed a fierce competitive edge.
“He had a real, hungry look,” Montier says. “He listened to everything you said, then on the pitch he became a predator, even against older players.” That competitive fire has become a hallmark of his managerial style. Montier also remembers Arteta’s relentless drive off the pitch.
During a visit to Liverpool while Arteta was at Everton, the future manager challenged him to a PlayStation match, then slid down a hallway in a Jurgen Klinsmann‑style slide after winning. “Whatever game you played with him, you always lost,” Parra adds. “If you beat him at anything, he’d get angry and go home.” Their friendship endured, with Arteta even inviting Parra to Marbella after his debut for Paris Saint‑Germain.
Arteta’s discipline extended to his studies. His parents instilled a strong work ethic, which helped him adapt quickly when he moved to Barcelona at just fifteen. Yanguas notes that while he also showed promise, he never settled and returned home after a year.
“Mikel adapted faster, learned the language, integrated with the other kids at La Masia,” he says. “He showed that same adaptability later in France, Scotland and England.” Reflecting on his upbringing, Arteta tells Sky Sports, “Roberto used to tell me every day, ‘You’re going to be a professional footballer. You’ll be one of the best in the country.’ He believed in me more than anyone else. You need someone like that in your life.” Back in Berio, the club has moved up the slope to a new, modern pitch where an under‑16 side trains under the midday sun.
Montier points out a slight midfielder with excellent technique, noting, “He had an offer from Real Sociedad but chose to stay with us – I’m proud of that.” Real Sociedad and Athletic Club now scout Antiguoko players at ever‑younger ages, but the club’s educational ethos keeps many youngsters loyal. The current session is overseen by Iñigo Iraola, a cousin of Andoni, who returned to Antiguoko as a coach while earning his coaching badges.
Iñigo grew up watching his older cousin play for Athletic’s U‑18 side and says, “From that moment he became my role model.” He still remembers buying his first pair of Adidas boots with Andoni on his birthday in San Sebastián. Parra contrasts the personalities of the three stars.
“Mikel was the captain, always taking responsibility. Andoni was quieter but possessed incredible ability, always polite and a great teammate.” Montier adds, “Andoni didn’t get as many touches on the wing, but when he reached the byline he would beat two or three defenders, deliver a perfect pass and we’d score. He could work wonders with the ball.” Andoni’s competitive streak mirrored Arteta’s, though he expressed frustration when Athletic’s manager Ernesto Valverde moved him from right‑wing to full‑back.
“At first he was angry, asking why he was being put in defence, but Valverde saw his quality and knew he could become an outstanding full‑back.” Andoni eventually captained Athletic, amassing 510 appearances before moving into management. Former teammate Ignacio Azpilicueta, who played as a centre‑back directly behind Alonso at Antiguoko, offers a unique perspective. He watched Xabi develop his passing range from a privileged position and says, “He played as the midfield pivot in front of me, so I saw his best passes as he grew stronger and more powerful.” Azpilicueta recalls that Alonso was always eager, winning the ball back with both feet, and that his talent blossomed physically during his U‑17 year, turning him into a first‑division prospect. Azpilicueta also notes the humility shared by all three graduates.
“He was a normal kid, funny, a good friend, but very intelligent. He always made good decisions on and off the pitch – that’s a big part of his success.” How does a modest club like Antiguoko produce such talent?
Besides scouting – sporting director Óscar Landa boasts a 95 percent success rate – the secret lies in continuity and culture. Montier says, “We’ve never changed the DNA of Antiguoko. Competitive instinct, intensity and sporting discipline are non‑negotiable.” Those values echo in Arteta’s managerial philosophy, where he frequently cites “competitive instinct.” Iñigo Iraola adds, “We try to instil sacrifice, discipline, hard work, teamwork and competitiveness. That’s what defines a Basque player – dedication and daily commitment.” The club’s general director, Gorka Azpeita, emphasizes that the graduates’ success is as much about character as ability: “Beyond their footballing talent, it’s important to highlight the values they embody and the people they are.” As the Premier League showdown approaches, the only lingering question is which side supporters will back when Arteta’s Arsenal meets Alonso’s Chelsea in north London.
“That’s like choosing between mum and dad,” Azpeita jokes. “A draw would be perfect.” The story of Antiguoko – the tiny club that has quietly conquered the Premier League through its alumni – continues to inspire a new generation of Basque youngsters, proving that great foundations, relentless discipline, and a community that believes in its players can produce world‑class managers and footballers alike.