Nestled between a line of stark white apartments and a synthetic pitch perched on the rolling hills of Berio, San Sebastian, lies a modest strip of ground where three of football’s most recognizable figures first cut their teeth. It was here, on the original Antiguoko field, that Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola learned the fundamentals of the game before embarking on illustrious careers that would later see two of them face each other as managers on a Sky Sports showdown between Arsenal and Chelsea. Roberto Montiel, the club’s long‑standing coach and vice‑president, still recalls the feel of that old surface as he sits on a bench in the now‑public park that replaces it. “The centre circle was just over there,” he says, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together.
“The pitch wasn’t like the new one up on the hill. It was smaller, made of tiny stones – almost like gravel. The balls were heavier when they got wet, and a slip could leave you with a nasty scrape.” Despite the rough conditions, the matches played on that gritty field earned a near‑mythical status in the local community.
Montier believes the talent was evident even then. “You could already see their vision for football,” he notes. “Trying to pass a wet ball over a gravel surface, with puddles everywhere, was a spectacle. The squads from the ‘81 and ‘82 generations were extraordinary.” Arteta and Iraola belonged to the younger age group, while Alonso was part of the older cohort.
Their teammates recall how the group felt like a miniature national side, an unstoppable Basque “Dream Team”. Alvaro Parra, a former Antiguoko teammate and close friend of Arteta, remembers thrashing local rivals: “We beat Real Sociedad 5‑0, Athletic Club as well, and swept every league. Everyone called us the Basque Dream Team.” The club’s reputation for producing talent has only grown. In their modest offices near Ondarreta beach, Montiel jokes that the wall of signed shirts from former pupils now needs to be extended – more than forty names now adorn it, with Arteta, Alonso and Iraola occupying the places of honour.
It still amazes everyone that three boys born within fifteen miles of each other in Gipuzkoa, the smallest Spanish province, have risen to manage Premier League giants. Parra marvels, “If I really think about it, it’s absolutely crazy that our three friends are now in charge of top English clubs. Sometimes I turn on the TV and think, ‘Oh, there’s Mikel! Oh, there’s Xabi!
What on earth happened?’” His former teammate Mikel Yanguas adds, “Arteta stood out even as a kid. He was small but technically brilliant, always thinking a pass ahead of me.” Yanguas, who later followed Arteta to Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, jokes that his own presence made Artura look better than he was. Parra, who played centre‑back, echoes that sentiment: “All I had to do was pass to Mikel, he’d make the run, and we’d score.” Montiel has a trove of anecdotes that illustrate Arteta’s early footballing intellect.
One favourite story involves a drop‑ball situation against Real Sociedad: as soon as the referee’s whistle sounded, Arteta flicked the ball with the outside of his boot and launched a long pass to a teammate in space, leading to a goal. Even when playing a year above his age group with Alonso, Arteta’s competitive edge shone through. “He had a fierce look in his eyes,” Montiel recalls, “and once he got onto the pitch he was a predator, even against older players.” That relentless competitiveness followed Arteta into adulthood.
Montiel remembers a teenage Arteta sliding down a hallway in Liverpool, mimicking Jürgen Klinsmann, after beating him at PlayStation during a visit while Arteta was still at Everton. “Whatever game you played with him, you always lost,” Parra says. “If you beat him at ping‑pong or video games, he’d get angry and go home. He was extremely competitive.” Their friendship endured beyond the pitch; after Arteta’s debut season with Paris Saint‑Germain, he called Parra and said, “Pack your suitcase, we’re heading to Marbella.” Though no photos of that trip survive, the memory remains vivid.
Arteta’s discipline extended beyond sport. His parents instilled a strong work ethic, which helped him adapt quickly when he moved to Barcelona at just fifteen. Yanguas, who also showed promise on the beaches of La Concha, never settled at La Masia and returned home after a year, whereas Arteta thrived, learning the language and culture swiftly – a skill he would repeat in France, Scotland and England.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta thanked Antiguoko for igniting his belief: “Roberto used to tell me every day, ‘You’ll be a professional footballer, one of the best in the country.’ He believed in me more than anyone else. You need someone like that in your life.” Today, Antiguoko’s new pitch sits higher on the hillside, where an under‑16 side trains under the midday sun.
Montiel points to a slight midfielder with exceptional technique, noting that the player turned down an offer from Real Sociedad to stay with the club – a source of quiet pride. He also mentions that both Real Sociedad and Athletic Club now sign Antiguoko graduates at increasingly younger ages, yet many young talents choose to remain because of the club’s holistic education.
Iñigo Iraola, a cousin of Andoni Iraola and now a coach at Antiguoko, grew up watching his relative’s debut for Athletic Club’s U‑18 side and has always regarded him as a role model. He recalls buying his first pair of Adidas boots with Andoni on his birthday in San Sebastian – a moment he still cherishes. Parra contrasts the personalities of the three stars. “Mikel was the captain, always taking responsibility.
Andoni was quieter, but incredibly talented, polite and a great teammate.” Montiel adds, “When Andoni played wide, he didn’t touch the ball as often as the central players, but every time he hit the byline he would beat two or three defenders and deliver a perfect pass.” Andoni’s competitive streak mirrored Arteta’s, though expressed more subtly. When Valverde moved him from winger to full‑back at Athletic, he initially resisted, asking, “Why am I being put in defence?” Yet Valverde recognised his capacity to attack from deep, a trait that defined Andoni’s later career – 510 appearances for Athletic and a transition into management. 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 the midfield pivot, noting that Alonso’s physical growth in his U‑17 year combined with his innate intelligence propelled him toward top‑flight football. “He wasn’t the biggest or the fastest, but his decision‑making was superb,” Azpilicueta says.
“That intelligence, humility and sense of humour have been crucial to his success.” So how does a tiny club consistently produce world‑class talent? Some point to the club’s scouting network – sporting director Óscar Landa boasts a 95 percent success rate – while others credit the enduring culture fostered by long‑standing staff. Montiel sums it up: “We’ve never altered Antiguoko’s DNA. Competitive instinct, intensity and sporting discipline are non‑negotiable.” Those very words echo in Arteta’s managerial philosophy.
Iñigo Iraola adds, “We instil sacrifice, discipline, hard work, teamwork and competitiveness. That’s what makes us special.” The club’s general director, Gorka Azpeita, stresses that the graduates’ value lies not only in their footballing ability but also in their character.
“Beyond talent, we highlight the people they are, the values they embody, and how those have enabled their achievements.” As Arsenal and Chelsea prepare to clash 600 miles away in north London, the question remains: which side will the Antiguoko faithful support? Azpeita jokes, “Choosing between Mikel and Xabi is like picking between Mum and Dad – a draw would be perfect.” Watch the Arsenal vs Chelsea match live on Sky Sports Premier League, kick‑off at 4.30 pm, and enjoy the club’s documentary “The Club That Conquered the Premier League” on YouTube ahead of the game.