Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted that he will not ‘compare’ his project at Arsenal to Jürgen Klopp’s project at Liverpool while speaking ahead of their Premier League clash at the Emirates on Sunday.
Arteta was appointed as head coach of the Gunners in December 2019 and a fairly successful reign which has brought about two trophies; FA Cup and FA Community Shield plus an extra bonus of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang extending his contract saw Arteta promoted to the position of manager of the North London club.
Meanwhile, Jürgen Klopp took the reigns at Liverpool, the Reds have steadily risen to be a force in world football again.
The German led Liverpool to a sixth UEFA Champions League title and ended Liverpool’s wait for a Premier League title as he guided them to win to 2019/2020 Premier League crown.
Arteta has however praised Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool for their resurgence but insists that he will not compare his project at Arsenal to Klopp’s Liverpool project.
“I don’t like to compare different projects. I think what they’ve done is remarkable. It’s been really intelligent,” Arteta said.
“The way they managed resources and the way they have maximised resources has been exceptional. They’ve done it really, really well and now it is about sustaining that.
“We are in different phases of that project right now but we know exactly where we are and where we want to be and in the first one of two phases.
“We had some priorities that we had to address to be in a position to now evolve the squad, evolve the team and start to compete on a different level and this is where we are.”
Alexandre Lacazette netted Arsenal’s only goal in their 1-3 loss earlier in the season at Anfield against Liverpool and Arsenal manager has also praised the French striker. Lacazette was instrumental to Arsenal’s comeback draw against West Ham as he netted the equaliser and he also netted the winner in Arsenal’s North London derby win against Tottenham. The Frenchman’s exploits has been noted by his manager who has showered praise on his forward.
“I think he’s been really good. I think he’s been in really good form for months now,” Arteta added.
“I think he’s sustaining that level. He’s scoring goals and he’s providing the team with something different as well.
“His work rate has been phenomenal and it’s what we want. We need those types of players hitting the best level and we want to have the chance to do that.
“Over the course of the season we have been missing goals, we’ve been missing that creativity in the final third and we need those players to step in and make that difference for the team.”
