Mikel Arteta has praised Fulham manager Marco Silva ahead of Arsenal’s clash with their London rivals this weekend.
Arsenal host Fulham in the Premier League tomorrow as the Gunners look to maintain their perfect start to the new season. Fulham arrive after an impressive return to the top flight last season, as the Cottagers exceeded expectations secure a top-half finish.
Arteta has been impressed with the work of opposite number Marco Silva at Craven Cottage, praising the Portuguese for his ‘remarkable’ job at Fulham and for implementing a ‘clear’ idea of how he wants his side to set up.
“I think what the coaching staff have done is remarkable,” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference.
“The way they played and qualified in the Premier League [Last season] is incredible he [Marco Silva] is really well organised and clear with his ideas and you can see what he wants to do.
“It is a team that creates a lot of challenges and difficulties it, happened last year.
“We had top moments against them, but tomorrow I am expecting something similar.”
Arteta also addressed speculation linking Gabriel with a move to the Saudi Pro League. The centre-back has started the first two games of the season as a substitute, but is expected to return to the side following Jurrien Timber’s injury and Takehiro Tomiyasu’s red card at Crystal Palace. Arteta has insisted that the Brazilian remains an important player.
“Gabby is really important for us, an important player. There’s nothing going on at the moment.”
