Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may have played a role in Morocco's remarkable run to the World Cup semi-finals

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may have contributed to Morocco’s remarkable run to the World Cup semi-finals.

The Atlas Lions have made history in Qatar, irrespective of what happens in tomorrow’s World Cup encounter between Morocco and France.

Walid Regragui’s side have become the first African team in history to reach the World Cup semi-final. Meanwhile, they are also the first Arab side from a country with a Muslim majority to reach the last four of the competition.

And they had to do it the hard way. Since arriving in Qatar, Morocco have shared the spoils against 2018 runners-up Croatia and recorded three victories against Belgium, Spain and Portugal.

Before the tournament the idea of Morocco, a side ranked 22nd in the world, going all the way was unthinkable. Now, it is a tangible reality.

Mikel Arteta playing his part

Arsenal boss Arteta may have contributed in a small way to Morocco’s run to the World Cup semi-final.

Indeed, Morocco boss Regragui is said to have attended a tactics seminar presented by Arteta, in which the Gunners manager broke down his side’s tactical masterclass against Manchester City in a 2020 FA Cup semi-final.

That day the Gunners ran out as 2-0 winners, and ultimately went on to win the trophy weeks later against Chelsea.

Twitter user Eurofoot shared a screenshot of a zoom call which featured Arteta, Regragui and a host of other coaches.

They then explained on Twitter: “This is Morocco manager Walid Regragui, attending a tactics seminar by Mikel Arteta, who displayed his ideas in the FA Cup [semi] final vs Man City.

“This is a person with a willingness to learn & progress. Just 1 year on, he finds himself in the World Cup semi-final. He worked so hard.

“At this moment, he would have been manager of Moroccan side, Wydad AC (2021). This is why I love the World Cup, players, managers & staff from across the globe come together on the big stage. Every edition of the tournament, we find new stories & moments. Regragui is one.”

Eurofoot subsequently reiterated the game studied in the seminar was the FA Cup semi-final rather than the competition's final, as had been written in the original tweet.

They wrote: “It was the semi-final vs Man City* but the seminar discovered the tactics behind Arsenal's FA Cup win that year anyway. Other managers from across the world attended, including Pitso Mosimane (Al-Ahli manager) who is one of the most successful African coaches ever.”