Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are enjoying a standout season as they battle Manchester City for the Premier League title.
It's something that felt a long way off when the Gunners were bottom of the table 18 months ago, having just been thumped 5-0 by current title rivals Manchester City. Three defeats and no goals meant plenty were questioning the Arsenal boss and former City coach.
The Gunners recovered somewhat to finish fifth, but missed out on Champions League football to rivals Tottenham. Last summer the Gunners set about bolstering their squad. Arteta raided City for Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, both have had key roles to play. And Arteta believes the former Etihad pair have helped take Arsenal to the next level on and off the pitch with their ability, experience and leadership.
Also read: City player ratings vs Southampton in 4-1 win
"They have done it in a really natural way, without having to get too much attention," said the Arsenal boss. "They have one focus which is to make their teammates better, more confident and empower the qualities they have and that is exactly what they have done and will continue to do.
"They had the qualities that in our opinion we needed, we went through it with Edu (Arsenal's Sporting Director), recruitment, board and ownership to try and capitalise on the things we believed would take us to the next level. They were two players we knew very well, they could adapt, they fit in personally and they have the football brain qualities we need for the team and they have shown that. We had the foundations to absorb those two players and then empower those two players that we have bought in."
Arsenal travel to Anfield on Sunday afternoon with a five-point advantage over City with both sides having nine league games remaining. Pep Guardiola's side thumped Southampton on Saturday to keep the pressure on.
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