Liverpool coach lauds Mikel Arteta after Arsenal success this season

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Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders has lauded Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after the work the north London boss has done this season.

Speaking to Four Four Two, Jurgen Klopp’s righthand man was full of praise for Arteta after the pair studied on the same coaching course, with the now-Arsenal manager leading the Gunners to the top spot of the Premier League table heading into 2023.

Lijnders himself is regarded as one of the most exciting young coaches in England, and the 39-year-old Dutchman has lavished Arteta in praise, with the Liverpool man saying: “I’m happy for his route – his success – despite being competitors.

The Merseyside coach later added when speaking about his Arsenal rival: “I want people I respect to do well. Except against us! He is transforming the club [Arsenal]. There isn’t a bigger compliment in football.”

To say Arteta has transformed Arsenal would be something of an understatement, with the Basque coach leading the Gunners to five points clear in the Premier League standings with the youngest squad in the entire division, with the mood around the red half of north London the best it has ever felt in years.

Indeed, the appointment of Arteta and the changes made by the former Manchester City coach have been revolutionary, and Lijnders’ praise for the Arsenal man has been nothing short of warranted, with the Gunners now on the path for success.

Lijnders will hope to emulate Arteta in first post-Liverpool job

Lijnders has been linked with a handful of jobs in recent years but is yet to fully take the plunge and manage a club on his own. Yet based on his comments on Arteta and his admiration for the Arsenal boss, the Liverpool coach will be hopeful of making as big of an impact wherever he lands.

As we know, Lijnders is one of the best assistant coaches in the Premier League and a key reason behind Liverpool’s success in recent years. And the Dutchman will soon have to test himself as the main man at a club like Arteta has done at Arsenal.