Mikel Arteta has expressed that he is not surprised by the immediate success of Arne Slot at Liverpool, considering the Reds one of the greatest teams in Premier League history.
Since his appointment as Anfield boss this summer, Slot has made a remarkable start, achieving 11 wins from 12 matches across all competitions.
Liverpool currently lead the Premier League, sitting one point ahead of Manchester City and four points clear of Arsenal as the two teams prepare to meet at the Emirates on Sunday.
Arteta, who faced Slot during pre-season – when Liverpool triumphed over Arsenal 2-1 in Philadelphia in July -believes it’s no surprise that the Dutchman has quickly adapted to his new role.
“No, because of the team, the infrastructure that they have, the individuals that they have,” said the Arsenal manager.
“He’s a really good manager, he’s inherited a team that is successful and given it his touch to maintain and evolve in the direction he believes is the right way to do it.
“You can see his fingerprints there on that team. From the beginning when you look at that squad you think they’re going to be right in the mix.”
Despite Arsenal’s strong Premier League title challenges over the past two seasons, Mikel Arteta has only secured the 2020 FA Cup as a major trophy since taking over as manager nearly five years ago.
In that same period, Liverpool have won the Premier League, the FA Cup, and two League Cups, along with reaching a Champions League final.
This success builds on their earlier achievements in 2019, when they lifted the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Arteta added of the Reds: “For me, they are one of the best teams in the last decade and certainly the history of this Premier League, because they competed against a team that was creating record after record and they were consistently there.
“That shows a lot of relentless and winning mentality to consistently believe, even if it some people feel you could not reach it.
“So that’s a big credit to them and with the work they have done with a clear identity, so that’s something remarkable in my opinion.
“It’s a team that has been competing for nine years at the highest level.
“They know how to compete, how to threaten you when the ball is really far, when the ball is in the outside units especially.
“They have the quality to damage you. For nine years consistently it’s been there.
“That means they’re really good at what they do.”
On what he hopes will give his team the edge against Liverpool, Arteta added: “That things will go our way.
“That we will play the way we want to play against Liverpool, and play with that belief, with that energy and with that commitment that is necessary in a big match like that.”
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