Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has praised Everton boss David Moyes ahead of their Premier League encounter on Saturday, describing him as an outstanding coach and a respected figure in English football, while cautioning his side against underestimating the visitors.
The Gunners will welcome Everton to the Emirates Stadium as they seek to continue their league campaign, with Arteta acknowledging the quality of Moyes and the challenge his team could pose.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, the Spaniard praised Moyes for his long-standing contribution to football and his influence on the Premier League.
“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 playing for Everton, said his familiarity with the club had given him a clear understanding of its strengths and the difficulties Arsenal could face against Moyes’ side.
“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.
The Arsenal manager also acknowledged that opponents often adopt different tactical approaches depending on their assessment of how best to secure a result against his team.
He said the course of a match could significantly influence how teams approach the remaining minutes, stressing that Arsenal must be prepared to respond to different situations.
“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 also addressed expectations surrounding Arsenal’s style of play, insisting that his team must focus on its own performance while recognising the influence opponents have on the nature of a game.
“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 will therefore need to overcome Everton’s organised approach as they prepare for another demanding Premier League fixture, with Arteta emphasising the importance of adapting to whatever challenges emerge during the match.
