Arsenal are set to face Brighton on Saturday, and Mikel Arteta will come up against a top-quality manager in Roberto De Zerbi.
De Zerbi joined Brighton midway through last season and has since taken them to the Europa League knockout stages, and the Italian is now being linked with a move to Bayern Munich and Liverpool.
It will not be an easy game for Arsenal, who will be targeting nothing but a win to help keep themselves in the Premier League title race, but given recent form, they will be confident of victory.
Arsenal are unbeaten in the league in 2024, and have both the best attacking and defensive records in the division, but are marginally behind Liverpool in the table. However, De Zerbi has claimed that Arteta’s side are the best in the league.
Roberto De Zerbi praises Arsenal ahead of Brighton trip
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, De Zerbi claimed that Arsenal’s results against Liverpool and Manchester City this season shows why they are the best in the division.
“Yes. Liverpool are another great team, different characteristics, different characteristic of the players, different style, Man City are close with the style of Arsenal. But I think when Arsenal play well, it’s very tough for all,” he replied when asked if he believed Arsenal are the best team in the league.
“You can understand my words because Arsenal won 3-1 against Liverpool, won against City at home, in the Champions League they are doing very well.”
Roberto De Zerbi’s record against Mikel Arteta
De Zerbi and Arteta are two managers who have drawn comparisons because of their principles regarding possession and positional play, and the Brighton coach has now praised the Spaniard.
“I have big respect for his job,” he added.
“His style is clear. They play always with a big intensity, with courage and he’s a great manager.”
Brighton have not lost at home in the league since August, and will provide a stern test for Arteta, particularly given previous clashes between the two.
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De Zerbi has faced Arsenal four times across all competitions, winning twice and losing twice. Both his wins came at the Emirates, with a 3-1 victory in the Carabao Cup in November 2022, and a 3-0 win in May 2023 to effectively end Arsenal’s title hopes.
Arteta did beat De Zerbi the last time the two sides met at the Amex Stadium in a 4-2 win in December 2022, and Arsenal recorded an impressive 2-0 victory in December at the Emirates this season in the reverse fixture.