Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he huge ‘respect’ for Arsenal boss manager Mikel Arteta for turning around his fortunes at the Emirates Stadium.
The German is also wowed by the Gunners’ attacking talent, as he lavished praise on the north London club prior ahead of Sunday’s clash between the Premier League giants.
The Reds’ opponents this weekend currently sit top of the Premier League, with Arsenal winning seven of their eight games in the league so far.
Meanwhile, Liverpool currently sits 9th, with only two league victories., 11 points adrift of the leaders – although with a game in hand.
The clash at Emirates set to be a good test for Arteta’s sideThey lost to Manchester United and other top six teams before the international break.
But regardless of how the game goes, Klopp believes the Gunners are a side to be admired, given they’ve risen from throwing away their spot in the Champions League places last season to now being top of the tree.
“All my respect, wow!” Klopp told the media ahead of the game.
“Really good job from Mikel. Nobody wants to take your time if you are in dire need of it. I have to say, a lot of respect.”
Arteta hasn’t had the smoothest ride since taking over at Arsenal, with the former Gunners captain facing heavy criticism and having to make several tough decisions – including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is banished skipper and star striker.
His team did not make it to the top four in the Premier League. Tottenham took their spot in week two of last season.
Since then, though, Arsenal are a side full of a confidence, and Klopp thinks Arteta is getting the best out of his attacking stars – who the German has always rated – this season.
He continued: “A lot of talent…Martinelli, I was excited about him early, Odegaard, I spoke to him at 15 in Norway with his dad. Saka… ooof!
“And Gabriel Jesus, Mikel could see how good he could be not in a Man City shirt. Thomas Partey, everybody saw how great he was at Atletico Madrid. Quality.
“A young, exciting team doing really well. Now we go there and we don’t think about [past results].”
Arsenal’s £45million summer signing Jesus has certainly hit the ground running this campaign, scoring five Premier League goals and assisting three in eight appearances since joining from Manchester City.
Last season the Brazilian was part of the City squad that pipped Klopp’s Liverpool to the title.
But despite this, the Reds boss was full of compliments for the striker and says he’s pleased to see Jesus used in his natural position at Arsenal.
“I always liked Gabriel Jesus as a player,” Klopp continued, “Exceptional player, you always saw that at Man City.”
“His role at City was a No.9 or a winger, everyone said last season City had no No.9, but he was still there!
“Now he plays his role. He’s flying and full of confidence. Top class.”
TalkSPORT will provide live updates from Arsenal and Liverpool on Sunday, October 9, at 4:30pm.
