Portsmouth manager John Mousinho shared his verdict on Mikel Arteta ahead of facing Arsenal.
The Gunners travel to Fratton Park to face Portsmouth for the first time since 2020, which was also a meeting in the FA Cup.
With the game being played less than 72 hours after Arsenal’s draw with Liverpool, Arteta will certainly make changes to his squad.
The trip to Fratton Park will be the first of Arsenal’s four away games in 10 days.
Arsenal’s squad depth will make life hard for Pompey, but it was something else that their manager, Mousinho, wanted to highlight ahead of the clash.
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Portsmouth manager John Mousinho praised Mikel Arteta ahead of Arsenal FA Cup clash
Leading up to the match, Mousinho spoke to Portsmouth’s official website to give his verdict on Arsenal as an opponent.
The Pompey boss called Arteta’s side the ‘best team in the country’, adding that Arsenal are possibly the best in the world right now too.
Such level of praise was to be expected given Arsenal’s current position, but it was what he said about Arteta that stood out.
“For Mikel Arteta to have stayed in the job as long as he has, under a lot of pressure early on, is remarkable,” Mousinho said.
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Many pondered whether Arsenal would sack Arteta early into his reign in North London, but Stan Kroenke stood by the Spaniard, a decision that paid off.
In Mousinho’s eyes, Kroenke’s perseverance with the Arsenal manager was something to marvel over, doubling down on how right the owner’s patience was.
“He’s one of the best managers in the world,” Mousinho said.
“Turned them into title contenders that are flying in Europe. It’s a fantastic achievement.”
Even rival managers realise that Arsenal’s decision to stick by Arteta was transformative, as without Arteta, it’s difficult to envisage where the Gunners would be.
Arsenal’s shocking back four the last time out against Portsmouth at Fratton Park
While Mousinho wanted to shine a light on Arteta’s six years at Arsenal so far, the Pompey manager has also been in his job for a while.
Mousinho joined Portsmouth in January 2023, gaining promotion to the Championship since.
The 39-year-old knows a lot about Arsenal now, but wasn’t in charge the last time the Gunners visited Fratton Park, naming a squad full of surprises.
Can you name the missing player from Arsenal’s back four at Fratton Park in 2020?
Clue: He still plays for Arsenal…
Arsenal beat Portsmouth 2-0 that night, and Arteta’s team selection was startling when looking back.
Emi Martinez was in goal, and a front line of Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock and Gabriel Martinelli were out to get Pompey.
In defence, a young Bukayo Saka played at left back, joined by Pablo Mari, David Luiz and Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
The Arsenal squad will look largely different at Fratton Park six years later, and thank goodness.
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