Mikel Arteta has praised Brighton and has discussed the similarities between his passionate approach and Roberto De Zerbi.
Arsenal host Brighton in the Premier League this weekend, with the Seagulls the last side to beat the Gunners in North London, after a 3-0 win at the Emirates in May.
De Zerbi guided Brighton into European competition for the first time in the club’s history last season and Arteta is expecting a difficult battle against this weekend’s opponents.
“They are a really good side. We will have to be very efficient and play better than last year,” the Spaniard said at his pre-match press conference.
“The way they play causes you problems.”
Asked on comparisons between the passionate approaches from himself and De Zerbi, Arteta added: “We live the game as we feel it. It was similar as a player. Everyone has their way of communicating. As long as we are genuine, I think that is great.
“I spoke to him a few times. I’ve spoken to him since he was at Sassuolo. I love the way his teams play, and what he has accomplished in the Premier League.”
Arteta also provided an update on his squad and confirmed Gabriel Martinelli is fit to feature: “[Gabriel] Martinelli is feeling good, we had no other news apart from Mo [Mohamed Elneny]. He had a scan on his hamstring and it doesn’t look too serious. He will be with us soon.”
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