Jesse Marsch believes Mikel Arteta is the most underrated manager in the Premier League and thinks Arsenal can win the title.
The Gunners are currently top of the Premier League after winning eight of their first nine fixtures, sitting one point clear of champions Manchester City. Arteta's side will look to continue their good run against Marsch's Leeds at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.
Leeds, meanwhile, will be keen to pull off a shock victory against Arsenal. They've picked up nine points from their first eight games to sit in 14th, which leaves them in danger of being sucked into a relegation battle if they don't continue to consistently earn points.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Sunday's game, Marsch said: "He’s the most underrated manager in the league. What an incredible job. The team is complex, stable, exciting to watch... amazing job. It’s taken time obviously and he took some heat at the start.
"But they’re seeing the fruits of their labour now. We are confident at Elland Road that we can play how we want but Arsenal are very good. We know we have to be at our best against such an opponent."
On whether Arsenal can win the title, Marsch added: "You would have to say yes. They look very strong and have played against good opponents. We know they’re a good team with quality. I like it when they improve and grow together. That’s happened there too."
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Arteta was appointed by Arsenal in December 2019 and immediately impressed by winning the FA Cup and Community Shield within the first nine months of his spell. Yet the Spaniard came under the cosh after a poor 2020/21 campaign, finishing eighth in the Premier League and missing out on European football for the first time in more than two decades.
There were calls for Arteta to be sacked after Arsenal lost their opening three games of last season to Brentford, Chelsea and Manchester City. The club's hierarchy resisted those calls and the Gunners are now flying in the Premier League and Europa League.
On Arsenal's style of play, Arteta added: "The combination of the way they play and the clarity of their roles along with individual quality makes them very difficult to deal with. The front three are incredibly dangerous one vs one.
"Top of the league in take-downs and one vs one success. Look at their goals and assists. It’s a monumental task for us but we need to be clear on our tactics and find the players that can execute at the highest level with discipline and confidence."
Arsenal will be aiming to stay on top of the Premier League or within touching distance of the summit when the World Cup starts in November. They've got games against Chelsea, Wolves, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and potentially Man City before the break.
In Europe, Arsenal have won all three of their group games so far. They will qualify for the last 16 of the tournament if they finish top of the group, while a second-placed finish will see them progress to the last 32.
