Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will go toe-to-toe with Brendan Rodgers' Leicester side on Saturday but that hasn't stopped the latter from heaping praise on the Gunners manager.
Arteta's troops enjoyed the perfect start to the new Premier League season with a hard-fought 2-0 win away from home at Crystal Palace. The victory was a statement to some of Arsenal's detractors who may have questioned whether they possessed the grit and resilience to emerge from a ground like Selhurst Park with three points.
Arguably the toughest test of the first few fixtures of Arsenal's season, the Gunners have set themselves up to build some momentum as they aim to return to the top four come the end of the campaign.
Up next is a Leicester side that has endured a difficult transfer window so far, bidding farewell to long-time goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and seeing two key players - Wesley Fofana and Youri Tielemans - the subject of intense interest from elsewhere.
It has been a contrasting story for Arsenal, who have made a number of key signings that will surely boost their chances of Champions League qualification. The two most high-profile additions come in the form of £45million Gabriel Jesus and £30m Oleksandr Zinchenko - both of whom were purchased from Manchester City.
Arsenal fans are also delighted by the return of William Saliba, though his man-of-the-match display against the Eagles was actually more of an introduction considering he endured three separate loan spells away from the club before making his debut.
According to Rodgers, the aforementioned trio have raised the technical ceiling at the Emirates. "Arsenal have gone to a new level with the three players who have come into the team," he claimed.
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"Saliba is a talented player, he’s gone away and got really good experience and you see him, he’s quick, he can dominate. He’s a fantastic addition and gives them presence at the back.
"The two guys coming in from Man City have made a difference. They’re coming from a world-class environment. Jesus is a world-class striker.
"You see his hunger and desire. It will elevate other players. Zinchenko can play in a couple of positions to the very highest level. They have given the squad the confidence and has given Mikel the tools to play how he really wants to play."
Jesus will be on the hunt for his first competitive goal for Arsenal against Leicester at the Emirates after a stunning pre-season campaign that saw him net seven goals in four outings for the Gunners.
