Arsenal legend and Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has given his backing to counterpart Mikel Arteta, as the two prepare to go head-to-head this weekend.
Monday’s fixture will see the Frenchman return to north London for the first time as manager, having taken over from Roy Hodgson at Selhurst Park in the summer, after previous managerial stints at MLS side New York City and Ligue 1 club Nice.
The 45-year-old’s last spell in English football came as a player during his solitary season at Manchester City during the 2010/11 campaign, although he most fondly remembered for his pivotal role in Arsene Wenger’s hugely successful Arsenal side of the last 90’s and early 2000’s.
Fortunes have since turned for Arsenal since those trophy laden days, the club failing to qualify for Europe last season and starting the current campaign with three successive defeats to leave Mikel Arteta under pressure, before following that up with a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Ahead of his upcoming clash with his former club, Vieira has praised the current Gunners boss, notably drawing comparisons to his former teammate Didier Deschamps, who has enjoyed huge success as manager of the French national team in recent years.
“When he was playing, you knew that Didier was going to be a football manager. And I think Arteta is quite in the same kind of mindset,” Vieira said at his pre-match press conference.
“He (Arteta) was a really good player. I think he had a wonderful career. And he learned the job before getting a chance at Arsenal.
“I think he did everything the right way. When he was under pressure, he did quite well because he’s always been calm and composed.
“Winning and losing games… the way he was conducting himself is a really good sign of a person who has everything under control.”
