‘Credit to Arsenal’: David Moyes praises Gunners for call on ‘clever boy’

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West Ham United boss David Moyes has praised Arsenal for keeping Mikel Arteta in charge after some tricky spells through his tenure. The Hammers visit the Gunners on Boxing Day.

Arteta will welcome his former Everton head coach to Emirates Stadium to restart the two teams’ Premier League seasons. Moyes’ Irons also travel to the Gunners with Arteta’s men atop the table. Arsenal entered the World Cup break five points clear of Manchester City.

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Arsenal have also won more top-flight matches (12) so far this term than any other club to the Citizens’ 10. While only Newcastle United have also lost just once but have drawn in six games to the Gunners’ one stalemate. Arteta’s side are unbeaten in their last eight games.

Only Manchester City (40) have also scored more goals than Arsenal (33) managed before the World Cup. Although West Ham will face a Gunners line-up that is not spearheaded by Gabriel Jesus. Their £45m summer transfer is facing three months out after knee surgery.

West Ham will welcome Jesus’ absence after entering the World Cup break just 16th in the table. Moyes is now facing pressure to keep his job at the London Stadium following four Premier league wins this term. The Irons have also lost nine – the joint most in the division.

West Ham boss Moyes praises Arsenal for sticking with Arteta in charge

Arteta was the one under pressure a year ago after Arsenal produced a poor start to their season. The Telegraph reported in August 2021 that the Spaniard only had five fixtures to save himself. Three losses saw the Gunners suffer their worst start to a season in 67 years.

Now, though, Arteta has Arsenal atop the table and Moyes praises the hierarchy in north London for backing his ex-Everton midfielder ahead of West Ham’s trip across the capital. It is their sixth meeting as managers, with Arteta winning four previously and drawing once.

“He was a clever boy,” Moyes declared, via football.london. “He stuck at it and ended up coming through. Managers need time to get through a difficult period. Credit to Arsenal.”