Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said he has been impressed with the work Mauricio Pochettino has done at Chelsea this season.
Chelsea have endured a mixed campaign in Pochettino’s debut year at the helm and currently sit ninth in the Premier League table.
The west Londoners have struggled for consistency in their results and performances, though are unbeaten in eight Premier League games heading into Tuesday’s clash with Arsenal.
Arteta has been impressed with Pochettino’s reign so far despite Chelsea’s disappointing league position and believes the Blues should be higher in the table based on their performances.
“They should be in a much higher position in the league when you look what they have done in matches. They have reached a final of one cup competition [the Carabao Cup] and semi-final of another [the FA Cup] and could have been through in that one too,” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference.
“What he has done is really impressive and sure he is going to get them there.
“The London derby is a massive game for us and have we to prepare in the best possible way.”
Arsenal moved back to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-0 win at Wolves at the weekend, with Liverpool behind the leaders on goal difference. Manchester City are a point further back, though have a game in hand on their title rivals.
On the importance of going top, Arteta said: “It really meant a lot to us. We have been in a great position in the Premier League over the past nine months. We want to give it a real go and are really determined [to carrying on challenging] while it is still in our hands to try to lift the trophy.
“Tomorrow we will have another tough opponent in front of us and we will try to win again.
“But [the title race is] dependant on another two teams [Liverpool and Manchester City] as well. They are two of the best teams in the history of this league, so this is where we are.”
