Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is full of praise for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal ahead of today's clash at Anfield.
Writing in his match programme notes, Klopp stated: I would like to welcome Mikel Arteta, his players, the Arsenal staff and supporters to Anfield for today's game and I am sure, given the way the season is going for them sensational in many ways they will arrive in good spirits and with high hopes for what the rest of the campaign may bring.
From my own perspective, I could not be more impressed by what they have done and how they have gone about it. The job that Mikel has done has been outstanding and it is easy to forget now but there was a period when things were not going as well and Mikel stuck to his principles, so it is good to see him now reaping the rewards.
The journey Arsenal are on is one that we are familiar with, of course. The doubts at the start are pretty normal, I would say, but then you start to see a team develop, a proper team, and the belief starts to grow.
From there, everything becomes possible when previously so much had seemed unlikely. It takes a lot of hard work, real togetherness and a shared vision for this to happen and although Arsenal are a rival, it would be impossible not to be impressed by what they are doing.
Today they are our problem and one that we have no option but to take on with total seriousness and respect. The place they occupy in the league table speaks for itself, so we do not need anyone to tell us that we have a proper job on our hands."