Tottenham defender Eric Dier makes big claim about Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta

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Eric Dier has told Sky Sports that he reckons Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is the most exciting manager in European football, ahead of Sunday evening’s north London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Arteta’s Gunners.

Tottenham go into the match having lost just one Premier League match all season, last losing on the opening day of the campaign to Everton. They sit at the top of the table, with Jose Mourinho getting the best out of his Spurs players.

But it is the opposite end of the spectrum for Arsenal. Having started in excellent fashion as Arsenal gaffer, Arteta has struggled to get the best out of his star players this season – with a 2-1 loss to Wolves leaving the Gunners in a lowly 14th place.

Dier has been rejuvenated by Mourinho since being moved to centre-back, having been somewhat ostracised under Mauricio Pochettino. He commented on Arsenal and Arteta ahead of Sunday’s game – praising the ex-Manchester City assistant.

“They’ve got a lot of quality in their team,” Dier said. “I think they’ve got a very, very exciting young manager. Personally, from what I see, I think he is the most exciting young manager in Europe. I like the way he is as a manager, they’re in good hands.”

TBR’s view – Dier mind games, or is Arteta really one of the best?

There are many impressive young managers in European football right now. Julian Nagelsmann, Andre Villas-Boas, Marco Rose and plenty more have cropped up on Premier League shortlists for their work in Europe.

But Dier’s claim certainly holds a lot of value. Despite a poor start, Arteta has sparkled in his first year as a manager – winning the FA Cup, Community Shield and making some eye-catching signings including Thomas Partey, Gabriel and Willian.

It might be mind games from Dier, but his comments are hardly untrue.