Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised opposite number Enzo Maresca ahead of Sunday’s match against Chelsea.
Arsenal host Chelsea this weekend during the final set of Premier League games before March’s international break.
This latest chapter of the London derby definitely feels like a significant one in the race for Champions League qualification.
Earlier in the season, Chelsea recorded a 1-1 league draw at home to the Gunners. Pedro Neto’s “stunning” goal against Arsenal cancelled out Gabriel Martinelli’s opener in the reverse fixture.
The Blues were in a much better rhythm back in the November fixture, though.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Mikel Arteta admires the way Chelsea play under Enzo Maresca
Mikel Arteta has showered Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca with significant praise as he prepares his Arsenal side to come up against him. In particular, he enjoys the way that he sets his team up to play football.
When discussing Maresca, Arteta said via BBC Sport: “He’s a magnificent coach. He’s very clear what he wants to do, he’s been very clear what he wants and how he does it. I really like the way his team plays.”
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Even though Chelsea’s season still hangs in the balance, there’s a lot of positive noise coming out of the camp about Maresca.
For instance, Blues centre-back Levi Colwill loves playing under Maresca and said he’s “light years” above anyone else as a coach.
On top of that, Maresca is viewed as ‘untouchable’ at Chelsea as he retains the full faith of the club’s chiefs.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Mikel Arteta vs Enzo Maresca
Both have worked under Pep Guardiola’s assistance; now Arteta and Maresca are managing two of the biggest clubs in England.
Club Matches Wins Draws Losses Trophies
Leicester City 53 36 4 13 1
Chelsea 42 25 7 10 0
Parma 14 4 5 5 0
Enzo Maresca’s senior managerial career
Club Matches Wins Draws Losses Trophies
Arsenal 275 165 46 64 3
Mikel Arteta’s senior managerial career
As you can see above, Arteta is the more experienced of the duo, managing at Arsenal since 2019. Even though he’s had some success in cup competitions, he can’t quite seem to get his team over the line in the Premier League.
It’ll be interesting to see if Maresca is afforded the same kind of time at Chelsea to build a project and develop a team in his mould.