FILE: Mikel Arteta | Arsenal website
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised Everton counterpart David Moyes, describing him as a respected figure in English football, while warning that his side face a difficult test in Saturday’s Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta spoke highly of Moyes ahead of the encounter, highlighting his longevity, contribution to the Premier League and qualities both as a coach and as a person.
“100%; I don’t know if it’s the king or what it is, but he’s certainly someone that I think we all look up to,” Arteta said when asked whether Moyes was the king of the Premier League.
“Not only for his longevity, but I think what he represents for the game, what he represents for the Premier League, and his trajectory.
“For me especially, because I know the man behind the coach, which is the most important thing, and then I really know as well the coach, and he’s a superb coach,” he said.
Arteta, who spent six years at Everton as a player, said he understood the quality of the club and the challenge it could pose to Arsenal.
Arteta wary of Everton threat
The Arsenal manager said Everton had several players capable of causing problems and praised the organisation of Moyes’ team.
“There are a lot, because I know David so well and how he sets the team, the quality they have in their organisation and individually.
“It’s no coincidence they didn’t lose before their last game. They have a really good team, which we know because in recent clashes, it’s always been a really difficult game for us,” he stated.
Arsenal will host Everton on Saturday as they look to continue their campaign, with Arteta acknowledging that the way opponents approach matches can influence how his team performs.
Asked whether he wanted opponents to attack Arsenal rather than sit back defensively, he said teams would make their own tactical decisions based on how they believed they could win.
“Every team is going to prepare in the best way with how they think they can beat us, like we do with the opponent.
“You could have an open chance in the first 10 minutes that changes the game and then the next 80 minutes are different because of the context of the game, results have a huge impact on how teams behave,” the coach disclosed.
He added, “We need to be able to win and enjoy as much as possible in every context.”
Arteta says Arsenal must create excitement
Arteta also addressed opinions about Arsenal’s style of play, saying the club had to focus on its own performances while respecting opponents.
“I think you have to respect every opponent – it would be good to be a bit consistent, but it’s understandable,” he said.
“It’s a game where we are passionate and emotional with what we’ve just seen. It’s normal, and you can forget what a team has just done.”
He added, “But that’s normal, that’s the expectation, and our job is to create constant excitement. The opponent has a lot to do with how they want to play, it’s inevitable, but it’s on us.”
Arsenal’s meeting with Everton comes as the Gunners continue to balance domestic and European commitments, with Arteta stressing the need for his team to respond to different challenges throughout matches.