Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is predicting his side to face a tough test when they take on London rivals West Ham United on Boxing Day in the Premier League.
For both sides, it will be their first competitive match for more than six weeks as West Ham , who currently sit a point above the relegation zone, head to north London to take on an Arsenal side who currently sit at the top of the Premier League standings.
Speaking about a side managed by David Moyes, who Arteta played under during his career at Everton, Arteta was highly complimentary of his Boxing Day opposite number and expects the Gunners to face a tough test, despite West Ham’s poor start to the season.
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“Very dangerous because I know for sure he has been working the team really, really hard,” said Arteta on what to expect from West Ham and his former manager Moyes.
“Since he took over he absolutely maximised the potential of that team and took the team to a different level. I am sure they have been working really hard, like we have all been, in this period and I am sure it will be a very difficult contest.”
Arteta also spoke highly about Moyes and what he has learned from him, as well as how he found playing under him.
As a player, Arteta made 209 appearances under Moyes, a run that included qualifying for the qualifying rounds of the Champions League, the Europa League, four top six finishes and an FA Cup final, a spell Arteta looks back on with fondness.
“Huge impact, so grateful first of all for the trust he showed in me and how much I learned from him on the field, off the field about building a team, about getting the right characters in the team to build what you want,” he added.
“He was extremely supportive all the time with everything we did together. I had incredible memories with him because we had a very successful time.”
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