Mikel Arteta reached a major milestone over the weekend as Arsenal manager. He managed his 300th game for the Gunners and celebrated it with a memorable win. That victory marked his 177th triumph in charge of the North London club. It’s a new record for Arsenal’s modern era and cements his place among the elite. Arteta took over Arsenal in December 2019 when the team struggled for direction. The club was low on confidence and far from competing at the top again. Since then, he has rebuilt their style, discipline, and mentality from the ground up.His leadership has transformed Arsenal into serious title contenders once more. Arteta’s 177 wins from 300 matches is a remarkable achievement for any coach.
That record equals Jurgen Klopp’s tally during his first 300 games at Liverpool. Both managers now share the same win percentage at that stage an impressive 59%. For a club once in crisis, this turnaround under Arteta feels truly remarkable. Yet, there are only three managers in English top-flight history with better records.Those names include Kenny Dalglish, Jose Mourinho, and Pep Guardiola. Each man shaped football history with success, trophies, and tactical brilliance. Now, Arteta’s name stands proudly beside theirs on the record list. Kenny Dalglish Liverpool’s Player- Manager Pioneer Kenny Dalglish became Liverpool manager in 1985 after Joe Fagan retired. He was still an active player, making him a rare player-manager at the time.
Although he felt unsure about leading the club, his success came instantly. Dalglish won both the league and FA Cup in his first season in charge. He also played 31 games that season, showing true leadership on and off the pitch.In his first 300 matches as Liverpool boss, he achieved 185 victories. That gave him a 61.6% win rate, a record-breaking figure for that era.Dalglish’s impact defined Liverpool’s dominance during the 1980s and beyond. Across his first spell, he lifted 10 trophies, including three league titles.His tactical understanding and calm authority earned respect from every player. He built teams that played fast, attacking football while maintaining discipline.Dalglish’s record set a benchmark few could match until years later.
Jose Mourinho The Special One Sets New Standards
Jose Mourinho shattered Dalglish’s record after his incredible start with Chelsea. He arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2004, calling himself “The Special One.” Mourinho quickly proved his words true with back-to-back Premier League titles. In his first Chelsea spell, he won 124 of 185 games, an astonishing 67% rate. He later returned to the club in 2013 for another spell of success. Upon managing his 300th Chelsea game, he had 196 total wins. That gave him a brilliant 65% win rate, surpassing Dalglish’s long-standing record. Across both terms at Chelsea, Mourinho claimed eight major trophies.He guided Chelsea to three league titles, FA Cups, and European success. His teams played organized, strong football built on discipline and efficiency. Mourinho’s methods divided opinion but delivered undeniable results.His 196 wins from 300 games stood as one of the best in England’s history.
Pep Guardiola – The Benchmark of Modern Management Then came Pep Guardiola, who raised the standard to another level altogether. When he joined Manchester City in 2016, many doubted his style would fit England.But Guardiola reshaped the Premier League with his tactical genius and perfection. His record after 300 games remains unmatched by any top-flight manager. Guardiola reached his 300th City match in September 2021.
He celebrated that milestone with a 6–3 win against RB Leipzig in the Champions League. At that point, he had already collected 219 wins — a stunning record. That figure translated to an incredible 73% win rate, the highest ever recorded.No other manager in English football had ever achieved such consistency. Under Guardiola, Manchester City became a footballing machine of precision and dominance. He built a dynasty that continues to collect trophies year after year.As of now, he has managed over 540 games with a 70.35% win rate.
Arteta’s Journey: From Apprentice to Record-Breaker
Arteta once worked under Guardiola as an assistant at Manchester City. He learned about control, structure, and attention to detail from his mentor. When he arrived at Arsenal, he faced a club low in belief and quality. But with patience and vision, he rebuilt their competitive identity step by step. Now, Arteta stands as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches. His 177 wins from 300 matches make him part of Premier League history. While he’s yet to lift the league title, the signs look highly promising.Under his watch, Arsenal plays with structure, hunger, and modern attacking football. He joins an elite group that includes Dalglish, Mourinho, and Guardiola.
His record doesn’t surpass theirs, but it proves his rising managerial stature. For a club once struggling to stay relevant, Arteta’s progress is huge.He has created a team capable of competing with football’s very best again. Arteta may still have more to prove, but his numbers speak volumes already. His name now appears on the same list as football’s greatest tacticians.He has broken new ground for Arsenal’s modern era with this record milestone. If he continues this way, he could yet chase Guardiola’s astonishing numbers soon.
