The highly-rated 20-year-old defender has joined Martin O'Neill's side until the end of the season, providing backline cover for the likes of Auston Trusty and Liam Scales in defence, among others.
Prior to becoming Dundee manager, Pressley was Head of Individual Development at Brentford, where he worked alongside Arthur, following his move from Peterborough. “Benjy Arthur is a player I worked really closely with in my time at Brentford. I really like him and rate him as a player," he said.
“I don’t want to put much pressure on him, but he does remind me of a young Virgil van Dijk. He is a huge unit but also very mobile. He is right-sided. Benjy is very calm and clean in his defending. He is very assured, quick, strong, and powerful. He has got so many good attributes that all the top modern-day defenders require.
“I spoke to Shaun Maloney about him the other day, and I told him how highly I rated him, and he is a player with huge potential. They, in my opinion, have made a good acquisition. Of course, it is his first loan. This will be a new experience for the player, but he is a player who has huge potential.”
Pressley continued, “There was a lot of interest in Benjy. I know there were several English Championship clubs who were keen on him, and also Celtic game in, so he had a lot of options. I am confident he can do well at Celtic, given the opportunity.
“Brentford thought this would be a terrific loan for him because one of the biggest challenges is, can you handle the pressures of playing for Celtic or Rangers. I think if you can handle that, then you will be able to handle most clubs.
“In terms of being able to grow and be tested, then this will be a good step for him.”