Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said Ange Postecoglou’s impact at Tottenham is ‘not a surprise’ having watched his coaching career before arriving in the Premier League.
Postecoglou was appointed as manager of Spurs in the summer after two successful seasons at Celtic, in which he won back-to-back titles and three domestic cups.
The 58-year-old previously managed Japanese outfit Yokohama F. Marinos and the Australian national team and was a surprise appointment in North London.
Postecoglou has made an immediate impact with Spurs pushing for a top-four finish, while the Australian’s aesthetic football has won him admirers across the division.
Arteta will come face-to-face with Postecoglou in this weekend’s North London derby and said he has not been surprised with his ‘impressive’ start at Spurs.
“Really impressive with what he has done. It’s not a surprise,” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference.
“I know it from when he was in the Australian national team, when he was in Japan, I followed Celtic and he has always been super clear with the direction and identity of how his team plays. I love the way his teams play so I think he’s been very good.”
Arsenal head into the game as Premier League leaders, though saw their lead reduced to one point as Manchester City beat Brighton on Thursday. City also have a game in hand on the Gunners and Arsenal have little room for error in the run-in.
Asked how his preparation for the North London derby has changed from his playing career, Arteta said he has even more motivation to get a positive result for the fans.
“More motivation, if anything, you know what you can give to your people, which is a lot of joy and happiness if we manage to win the game. Obviously when you have the chance to do that and that’s in your hand, you really want to make the most of it to try and make it happen.”
