Jurgen Klopp says Mikel Arteta has made Arsenal 'winners', admits Aubameyang deal makes Liverpool FC's job harder
Jurgen Klopp insists Mikel Arteta has turned Arsenal into a team of "winners" ahead of Liverpool's clash with the north London club at Anfield tonight.
Though Arsenal finished a disappointing eighth in the Premier League last season, they've since exhibited the immense strides they have made under Arteta by beating Chelsea and Liverpool to win the FA Cup and Community Shield respectively.
Arsenal have also made a quick start to the 2020-21 campaign, winning both league games and earning an impressive Carabao Cup victory away at Leicester.
Liverpool also have a perfect record entering the fixture, with both managers presented with an opportunity to lay down an early marker.
Klopp believes Arsenal's dramatic improvement is a positive for the Premier League but hopes they're not in the same "mood" when the pair meet on Monday.
“What a superb job Mikel is doing already at Arsenal,' Klopp wrote in his matchday programme notes. "It is clear from their performances and results that he has imposed himself and his ideas early.
"The team already has a clear identity and purpose under his leadership.They have also become winners in a short space of time under Mikel, with the FA Cup and Community Shield. Congratulations on both of these – great achievements.
“Arsenal have an exceptional group of players. From back to front, world-class talent. Obviously without supporters in the stadiums you have to feel this positivity via what you hear and see through the media, but it is obvious their club has a bounce about it."
“I think this is great for the Premier League if I’m being honest. From a selfish point of view, not great for us because it is another outstandingly strong team in a competition full of them.
"But Arsenal is a fantastic football club and therefore as a ‘football fan’ I love to see them in this sort of mood. Hopefully not today, though!"
Liverpool, who conceded three in their opening home game to Leeds, will have to defend one of Europe's top marksmen in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gabon international signed a new big-money three-year contract extension with Arsenal earlier in September, which Klopp believes has made Liverpool's job this season harder.
“On a similar theme, the news that a player I know very well is committed to staying with them is bittersweet," he added.
“I have been blessed to know Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and his family for a long time. He is a wonderful person as well as being a wonderful player.
"I say ‘bittersweet’ about his contract extension because as an opponent who has to face him it makes our jobs so much harder.
“But again, as a football fan and someone who now works in the Premier League, it is so good for the competition to have the very best in the world doing their thing here. He is definitely that."
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