Patrick Vieira has praised Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, and stated that he is ‘not surprised’ by their recent progress, as he told his press conference.
The Crystal Palace boss added that Arsenal have a ‘really clear understanding’ of how they want to play and are playing ‘better’ football under their Spanish coach.
When Arteta first arrived in north London, he swapped being Manchester City’s number two to being thrusted straight into the limelight of one of the biggest footballing jobs in the country.
The results, in the Premier League, were mixed, but their FA Cup win made up for it all, before last season saw them struggle quite a lot, including getting knocked out of the Europa League to the man Arteta replaced – Unai Emery.
After losing the opening three games of this current campaign, not many would have argued if Arteta was sacked by the powers that be.
But those in the boardroom kept the faith, as Vieira praised Arteta for going through that ‘difficult period’ by keeping ‘calm’ and ‘cool’, as he added ‘all credit to him’.
“I’m not surprised by the way they have played and have been progressing,” said Vieira. “I believe they have a good squad. A good manager.
“And now I believe they have a really clear idea of understanding how they want to play the game. They are playing better football. They are playing with a lot of confidence. I think this is a massive difference.
“He went through a difficult period. He managed to keep his calm and his cool. And managed to return the situation, I would say. All the credit to him and the work he has been doing. The results he has had lately have been really positive.”
The job isn’t yet done for Arsenal because they are chasing Champions League football and Palace might just stand in their way.
Before the international break, Vieira’s side held Manchester City to a goalless draw to throw a spanner in the works regarding the Premier League title race.
With the Gunners leading the charge, at this moment in time, for Champions League football, they will be hoping they don’t get the same treatment at Selhurst Park on Monday night.
Arsenal have struggled against Palace’s counter-attacks before, but they are a more possession-based side now, added with that threat on the break, which probably makes them more dangerous.
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