Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has often been compared to Tony Pulis over the last year.
The former Stoke City boss always made it hard for the Gunners when he was at the helm all those years ago, but his style of football has come back in fashion now.
Teams are now using long throws to gain advantages, while Arsenal have shown the world just how effective they can be in set pieces.
Pulis was often criticised back in his day, but seeing people compare Arteta to him now has brought a smile to his face.
Tony Pulis says he loves the comparisons to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
People have been trying to downplay everything Mikel Arteta has done at Arsenal by comparing him to Tony Pulis.
Yes, the Gunners boss, with Nicolas Jover, has made Arsenal the best set-piece team in the world, but that is not all they do.
The North Londoners are magnificent in all phases of the game, and they have the ability to beat teams every way possible.
Stoke were nowhere near as complete a team as Arsenal are today, which is why comparing Arteta to Pulis doesn’t make much sense.
However, seeing people photoshop images of the Spaniard in Pulis’ attire has made the latter very happy.
He wrote on BBC Sport: “I think it’s brilliant that Arteta has embraced set-pieces and, like me, I don’t think he will give a damn about the people who want to knock him for doing it.”
Pulis added: “I do find it funny that 10 or 12 years ago, I was taking a lot of flak from Gunners supporters, and Arsene Wenger was saying that Stoke were a rugby team because of our corner routines and long throws.
“That’s another reason why I have got nothing but respect for Arteta, because he has seen all of that at the time and just thought, ‘you know what, doing that could help us’.
“I’ve seen the mocked-up picture of him dressed as me, including my baseball cap, and I love it – he makes me look good-looking!”
Tony Pulis shares what Arsene Wenger must be thinking of Arsenal’s set-piece prowess
Wenger became popular across the footballing world for his beautiful style of play.
No other team in the Premier League during his time in North London had a better attacking philosophy than the legendary Frenchman.
We’re sure Wenger is delighted now to see his beloved Arsenal on top of the Premier League table, but Pulis feels his old rival will not be happy with their set pieces.
He said: “Wenger is probably shaking his head about what Arsenal are doing, but I know Arteta sees the Stoke comparisons as a compliment and so do the other Premier League managers who are doing the same.
“Wenger never seemed to appreciate the value of set-pieces, and he also found it difficult to play against teams who were direct like us, so he did everything he possibly could to affect that by complaining about people like Sam Allardyce and myself.
“I can understand why he did that, it’s common sense, but I don’t see many managers now moaning about it – even the ones who want to play in a different way to me.”
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