‘It’s important’: Spurs boss Antonio Conte says Arsenal have pulled off a double masterstroke

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has told football.london that Arsenal newcomers Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko are “especially” good signings.

On Saturday, Spurs head to the Emirates Stadium to face Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, who currently top the Premier League table.

Arsenal are at the summit on 18 points, while Tottenham are one point and two places behind their bitter rivals.

The last North London derby took place on 12 May, with Spurs running out 3-0 winners over the Gunners.

Since then, both Tottenham and Arsenal have bolstered their ranks considerably.

Jesus and Zinchenko were the Gunners’ standout summer signings, both arriving from Manchester City.

And both players have played a huge part in improving Arsenal, turning them into early pacesetters this season.

Conte admits he’s been impressed with the backing the Spaniard has received from his club.

“I think if I see what happened at Arsenal, they’re a club who backed Arteta over the years,” the Tottenham boss told football.london.

“And you’re seeing when you trust a person, and Arsenal showed this also in a tough period with Arteta, backing him in every moment, now they’re having good results.

“Last season, don’t forget they were in the Champions League [places] in the last three games. They had a good step.

“I think this season they’re better than last season.

“They made good signings, especially Jesus and Zinchenko from a club like Manchester City, two players that are used to winning and having a winning mentality.

“It’s important because I can see they’ve improved the level. Not only the quality but the mentality at Arsenal.

“I think they’re doing a good job. In my opinion it’s always very very important to go together, with the coach and the club.

“If you want to build something important you have to go together, to have a good relationship.”

Arsenal have played the long game and look to be reaping rewards – TBR View

It wasn’t that long ago that the expression ‘trust the process’ became a sarcastic insult towards Arteta.

Last season, when Arsenal fell just short of the Champions League places – to Tottenham no less – many fans weren’t happy.

Indeed, it looked like the decision to offload Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – then failing to replace him – in January was nothing short of a mistake.

But over the summer, Arsenal have impressed, and their current top spot is no less than everyone at the club deserves.

Sure, the Gunners failed to make any late signings, and they could’ve done with another midfielder and senior winger.

Nonetheless, we’ll see what they can do in the January window – the club is certainly going in the right direction.