Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes that Liverpool, not Manchester City, are the best team in the Premier League.
Speaking to beIN SPORTS after the 2-0 loss against Jurgen Klopp’s team, Arteta said that The Reds are currently better than anyone else in the country, including City.
“You see how the boys are playing against the best team in the league,” said Arteta, praising his own team.
“The way they play, the courage they show, the mentality, the understanding of the game, it was phenomenal.”
Although it’s just a little comment, it says a lot about how Liverpool are currently playing.
Some may think that Arteta was simply trying to build up his own team’s performance and there could be something of that in it. But coupled with his praise of Liverpool before the game, it seems like a genuine belief.
All that coming from a former Everton man, too!
A mirror image
Seeing Arsenal’s journey over the last two or three years is like looking into Liverpool’s past during the early years of Jurgen Klopp’s reign.
The Reds were on their way to finishing 8th when the German took over and had only been in the Champions League once in the last six seasons. Like Arsenal in 2019, they lost even a Europa League final to compound the misery.
Liverpool’s return as a consistent Champions League team has coincided with Arsenal’s fall out of the competition. Having qualified for 17 tournaments in a row, they haven’t been at Europe’s top table since 2016/17.
That could change this season as they finally look to have got it right under Arteta. With a young and exciting team, there is potential that the Gunners could become a genuine force once more.
But for the moment, there is a chasm between the sides. Arsenal played well in parts last night, but Liverpool never really looked in any real trouble. The Reds were clinical when they got their opportunities and were thankful for the world-class goalkeeping of Alisson Becker.
It’s too close to call once more in the Premier League. We’ll find out exactly who is the best team in the country over the next two months. Let’s hope Arteta is proven right come May 22nd.
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