Mikel Arteta reveals why he thinks Enzo Maresca is a “magnificent coach”
Chelsea face a big game against Arsenal on Sunday and Mikel Arteta has been full of praise for Enzo Maresca in the build-up.
The Blues head to the Emirates looking for a first win against Arsenal since 2021, and victory would see them close the gap on the Gunners in second to three points.
Maresca’s men head into the game on a run of four wins in a row in all competitions and three consecutive clean sheets.
Arteta full of praise for Maresca
Chelsea sit fourth and are on track to qualify for the Champions League, whilst they are also in the quarter finals of the Conference League.
However, the Blues face a very difficult end to the season, with Champions League qualification far from a guarantee.
John Obi Mikel has expressed his concern over Chelsea’s run-in, but with key players set to return after the international break it should provide a much needed boost.
Chelsea’s record in big games hasn’t been good this season and the Blues have lost at Anfield and the Etihad, whilst they could only manage a draw at Old Trafford.
Maresca has already confirmed Robert Sanchez will start in goal, whilst with injuries the rest of the team bar one or two positions picks itself.
The Italian has done a pretty good job to date given his lack of experience and how difficult an environment Chelsea can be, and Arteta has been full of praise for his counterpart.
“He’s a magnificent coach,” he told BBC Sport.
“He’s very clear what he wants to do, he’s been very clear what he wants and how he does it. I really like the way his team plays.”
If Chelsea were to win on Sunday it’s unlikely Arteta would be so forthcoming in his praise, but it’s interesting to see how highly regarded Maresca is by his fellow managers.
Topics
-
Maresca on 'big gap' between Chelsea and Arsenal, Palmer and titles
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has spoken to the media before Sunday's Premier League game at Arsenal (kick-off 13:30 GMT). Maresca expects Arsenal to play the game with a high press and to be ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Chelsea can be flexible, says Maresca
Enzo Maresca insists Chelsea will be allowed to break from his rigid tactics if they need to win Sunday's vital London derby against Arsenal.Maresca revealed error-prone keeper Robert Sanchez is ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Arteta expected Chelsea to be title 'contenders'
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he expected Chelsea to be "contenders" to win the Premier League this season.Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Arteta expected Chelsea to be title 'contenders'
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he expected Chelsea to be "contenders" to win the Premier League this season.BBC News - 16h -
“The way they are playing” – Paul Merson gives his prediction for Arsenal vs Chelsea
Chelsea take on Arsenal on Sunday in a huge London Derby and former Gunner Paul Merson has made his prediction.The Blues head to the Emirates looking for a first win against Arsenal since 2021, and ...Yahoo Sports - 4h -
Amorim: I won't get time Arteta had at Arsenal
Ruben Amorim has said he won't get the same time to rebuild Manchester United as Mikel Arteta has enjoyed at Arsenal as the two managers prepare to meet at Old Trafford on Sunday.ESPN - Mar. 8 -
“Then push” – Enzo Maresca claims poor first half vs Copenhagen was all part of the plan
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has claimed that the poor first half in last night’s game was just all part of the plan, as it was in the 1st leg.Chelsea beat Copenhagen 1-0 on Thursday night to advance ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
The Athletic detail Chelsea’s plan for key area in Enzo Maresca’s system
Wingers are very important in Enzo Maresca’s system and Chelsea want five for two positions according to The Athletic.The Blues completed the shock signing of Geovany Quenda from Sporting Lisbon on ...Yahoo Sports - 36m -
Arteta 'proud' of Lewis-Skelly's England call-up
Mikel Arteta said he was "proud" of Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly after the teenager was named in Thomas Tuchel's first England squad on Friday.The defender, who was not in the England squad ...Yahoo Sports - 22h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Lightning's Nikita Kucherov back on the ice ahead of matchup in Boston
Nikita Kucherov did not play in a Lightning 4-3 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday because due to an illness, but he was back on the ice for practice in Boston on Friday.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Chelsea wins Women's League Cup final for first trophy in quadruple bid
Chelsea’s quadruple bid in women’s soccer is up and running. A 2-1 win over Manchester City in the Women’s League Cup final on Saturday earned Chelsea its first piece of silverware this season. ...Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Best free agents available for Colts after first wave of NFL signings
After the first wave of free agency, who are the best available free agents still out there for the Indianapolis Colts?Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Day 5 of Lions free agency - Medical recap of the players Detroit has signed
Day 5 of Lions free agency - Medical recap of the players Detroit has signedYahoo Sports - 23m -
Penn State's top RB commitment books official visits to Notre Dame and UNC
Penn State commit Messiah Mickens will take official visits with a former Penn State assistant and a living football coaching legend.Yahoo Sports - 24m
More in Sports
-
Men's Bracketology: UNC slides back out for a potential bid thief
The Tar Heels and other bubble teams (i.e., Texas) are at the mercy of a busy Saturday slate -- and especially the Mountain West championship game.ESPN - 10m -
Lightning's Nikita Kucherov back on the ice ahead of matchup in Boston
Nikita Kucherov did not play in a Lightning 4-3 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday because due to an illness, but he was back on the ice for practice in Boston on Friday.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Chelsea wins Women's League Cup final for first trophy in quadruple bid
Chelsea’s quadruple bid in women’s soccer is up and running. A 2-1 win over Manchester City in the Women’s League Cup final on Saturday earned Chelsea its first piece of silverware this season. ...Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Best free agents available for Colts after first wave of NFL signings
After the first wave of free agency, who are the best available free agents still out there for the Indianapolis Colts?Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Day 5 of Lions free agency - Medical recap of the players Detroit has signed
Day 5 of Lions free agency - Medical recap of the players Detroit has signedYahoo Sports - 23m