Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino believes Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta could become “one of the greatest managers in the world.”
In his first managerial post, Arteta took charge of Arsenal in December 2019 and has dramatically revived their fortunes, securing a second-place finish in the Premier League last season and qualification back into the Champions League for the first time in six years.
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Pochettino and Arteta have a friendship dating back to 2001 when both joined Paris Saint-Germain as players that summer, Arteta on a season-long loan from Barcelona B and Pochettino signing permanently from Espanyol.
Speaking on Friday ahead of their first meeting as managers when Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino said: “[I have] amazing memories. When you connect with a person like him — we share the values and the passion of football — yes, I can tell you he is part of my family from day one he arrived in Paris.
