How Mikel Arteta Ranks Among Premier League Legends After Reaching Major Milestone
Mikel Arteta secured yet another victory as Arsenal manager on Monday as his side overcame a spirited Aston Villa, and the Spaniard also hit an impressive managerial milestone in the Midlands.
The Gunners began the 2026–27 season with an emphatic 3–0 victory over Coventry City, which was Arteta’s 150th win in the Premier League as a manager, and maintained their perfect record by beating Villa 1–0 on the road.
Bukayo Saka’s second-half strike propelled the Gunners to second in the Premier League standings and only behind current leaders Manchester City on goals scored.
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Arteta not only celebrated three points at Villa Park, but also his 250th Premier League match as a manager, with only his compatriot Roberto Martínez having reached the total at a younger age.
The 44-year-old became just the 29th Premier League coach to reach the feat, and he already ranks among the division’s all-time greats based on his record.
How Does Arteta Compare to Managerial Icons?
Arteta’s win percentage is the fifth-highest in Premier League history after 250 matches.
After beating Villa, he has won 60.4% of his league games as Gunners boss, with an overall record of 151 victories, 48 draws and 51 losses. That’s a higher win rate than Arsenal icon Arsène Wenger (58.4%) in the same timeframe.
However, there are four coaches who can better his record—and they’re all legendary figures.
Pep Guardiola, Arteta’s former mentor, tops the standings after winning 73.6% of his first 250 Premier League outings. That record dwarfs all other managers, but it’s former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp who is closest to the Spaniard with a 64% win rate.
José Mourinho is only narrowly behind the German, victorious in 63.2% matches, while 13-time Premier League champion Sir Alex Ferguson has a win rate of 60.8%.
On Monday, Arteta also became just the 16th manager to reach 500+ points in the Premier League.
The Spaniard will fancy his chances of significantly boosting his win percentage come the end of the current campaign, with Arsenal considered the leading favorites for back-to-back Premier League titles.
Highest Win Percentages After 250 Premier League Matches
Manager | Matches | Record | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
Pep Guardiola | 250 | 184W–32D–34L | 73.6% |
Jürgen Klopp | 250 | 160W–56D–34L | 64.0% |
José Mourinho | 250 | 158W–59D–33L | 63.2% |
Alex Ferguson | 250 | 152W–63D–35L | 60.8% |
Mikel Arteta | 250 | 151W–48D–51L | 60.4% |
Arsène Wenger | 250 | 146W–62D–42L | 58.4% |
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