Mourinho explains how Arsenal are in a similar position to Tottenham

Jose Mourinho has praised the work which Mikel Arteta has done at Arsenal ahead of the crucial North London derby later today.

Arteta took over as Arsenal boss a month after Mourinho replaced Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs.

Like the Portuguese coach, Arteta has had mixed results in his short time at the helm at the Emirates to date.

There were a few dissenting voices after Arsenal began with two successive defeats against Manchester City and Brighton after the restart (Express).

Thee Arsenal boss decided to change up his system and employ three central defenders at the back and since then, the Gunners have registered four wins and a draw in their last five games.

Mourinho revealed his admiration of Arteta’s work and insisted the Spaniard has faced similar difficulties to him after arriving at the club mid-season.

The Tottenham head coach told Sky Sports: “I think it’s a similar process to us. A coach that comes mid-season, trying to do things now that help the team to get a position in the table but that he can also transfer to the next season.

“So when they change system, when they go with four at the back or five, when they go with two in the middle or three, when they go with [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang as a nine or on the left, I think it’s a normal process of a team in this situation.”

The 57-year-old also credited his counterpart with finding a system of play that has worked for his side in recent weeks.

He added: “Lately, they have found a way of playing that has given them very good results and I think this is the kind of feeling that a manager likes to have, because then probably the manager says, ‘Okay, this is working and it’s something that I must keep for the future.’ I think you have to look to the future and that’s what we are all doing.”

Spurs Web Opinion

We have to keep in mind that this is only the second time in Jose’s career that he is taking over a club mid-season. He also does not have a lot of experience taking over struggling teams who are languishing in mid-table.

So, it is extremely harsh to put down our failures this season on his shoulders. He has promised that the next campaign will be different, and it is only fair that he gets a chance to show what he can do after another transfer window and a fresh start next season.

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