‘Southampton have impressed me quite a lot’ – Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has delivered his verdict on Southampton ahead of the Saints’ trip to the Emirates Stadium on Friday, April 21st.

Southampton will lock horns with the Gunners in north London in their 32nd Premier League game of the season on Sunday.

The Saints go into the match on the back of a six-game winless run, while Arsenal are winless in two.

There is a stark contrast in the situation of the two teams as Arsenal sit atop the table and Ruben Selles and Co are at the bottom of the pile.

Gunners boss Arteta, though, has explained that he has been impressed by Southampton in recent weeks.

"“Southampton, after analysing them with a lot of detail, they have impressed me quite a lot,” Arteta told a press conference.“If I watched the last game that they played [against Crystal Palace], how they lost, with the margin that they lost, the margin wasn’t there.”“I think what Ruben and the coaches are doing is really good.”“The rewards maybe haven’t been there in terms of results in some games but they are a really good team.”"

Southampton are in desperate need to pick up points as they try to avoid relegation. Meanwhile, dropping points against the Saints will hand another blow to Arsenal’s hopes of winning the title.

Mikel Arteta lauds Southampton boss Ruben Selles

Mikel Arteta also waxed lyrical about Ruben Selles, who was made Southampton’s permanent manager in February.

"“I know people that worked with him [Selles] at Valencia when he was there,” Arteta said.“I followed his career and I know the type of coach he is and the way he thinks.”“I think he deserves to be where he is and he’s done really well with the team.”“We will meet tomorrow.”"

It remains to be seen which of the two Spaniards will emerge victorious on Friday.