Mikel Arteta has claimed that Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui is a 'total credit' to his nation after news emerged that he attended a tactics seminar led by the Arsenal manager last year.
Morocco have been the surprise package at this year's World Cup. After topping a group that had semi-finalists Croatia, as well as the No.2 ranked side in the world, Belgium, the north Africans went onto beat European giants Spain and Portugal in the round of 16 and quarter-final respectively.
They're now preparing to face current holders France after Les Bleus knocked out Gareth Southgate's England on Saturday. Although Didier Deschamps' side are firm favourites to reach the final, Morocco have shown that they're extremely difficult to beat and they'll undoubtedly put up a fight once again.
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What's perhaps more incredible about this story, though, is that the Moroccans' head coach, Regragui, only took charge of his first game in September. Since then, he's become the first manager - as well as the first African manager - to lead an African team to the semi-finals of a World Cup.
He's not done that by chance, either, as Regragui has put in the work both on and off the field. In fact, he even attended an online seminar hosted by Arteta just over a year ago to learn more about his trade.
Now, after an image of the two in the said seminar went viral, Arteta has claimed that he fully deserves the success he's currently having. Speaking in his post-match press conference following the Gunners' 2-1 win over AC Milan in the Dubai Super Cup, Arteta said: "The impact on him he deserves it and what he is doing is totally amazing, what the team is transmitting is great. I think it’s a really positive thing for world football to have an African team at this stage where there are four very selective teams at this World Cup."
Plenty of neutrals will be hoping for Regragui to succeed against France. Lionel Messi and Argentina await in the final but Morocco won't be fearing the South Americans, either.
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