Mikel Arteta and Sean McVay’s bromance blooms as Premier League and NFL collide in London

In a unique twist of fate, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay find themselves in the same city this weekend as their respective teams play matches in London. Both Arsenal and the Rams are owned by Stan Kroenke, while their opponents, Fulham and the Jacksonville Jaguars, are both owned by Shad Khan.

The bromance between Arteta and McVay is well-documented, with the two regularly exchanging messages and chatting about tactics. They even ran a coaching clinic together for local children during Arsenal’s preseason friendly at SoFi Stadium last year.

Arteta, who is still seeking his first Premier League title as manager, spoke highly of McVay, praising his achievements and coaching style. In contrast, McVay became the youngest head coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl in February 2022 at the age of 36.

This weekend, Arsenal will face Fulham in a Premier League match, while the Rams and Jaguars will play at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. Despite the tight schedule, Arteta and McVay are looking forward to the opportunity to connect and support each other.

Khan’s path crossed with Kroenke’s in 2010 when he bid to buy the Rams, prompting Kroenke to exercise his matching rights and eventually move the team back to Los Angeles in 2016. Kroenke, who also owns the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, and MLS’ Colorado Rapids, gained full ownership of Arsenal in 2018.

The unique connection between these two successful sports franchises is a testament to the vision and leadership of their owners. As Arteta and McVay continue to learn from each other, their teams are set to showcase their talents on the global stage, creating a bond that transcends borders and sports.