Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim ahead of the FA Cup match between the two sides this weekend. 

The Gunners welcome United to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon as they attempt to get through to the fourth round of the FA Cup – the only trophy that they’ve won under Arteta.

Arsenal will be keen to get back to winning ways after losing 2-0 to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final in their last match, leaving them in a tough spot heading into the second leg in early February.

They face a United side who recently drew 2-2 with Premier League leaders Liverpool, in what was an impressive performance for the Red Devils. Despite that, they haven’t won a game in their last five matches.

Arteta praised his Manchester United counterpart

Arsenal boss Arteta praised United ahead of the tie on Sunday and was specifically full of praise for their manager. He said in his pre-match press conference: “Especially among the big teams, how they perform, and the result [against Liverpool] that they got was very impressive.

“I know him [Ruben Amorim] well, I followed him a lot while he was in Portugal, and there’s a big reason why he’s where he’s at the moment, he fully deserves to be there.”

Arteta also stressed the importance of the game being an FA Cup match, a competition that Arsenal have won more than any other club.

“A part of our history.” He added, “We won it 14 times. It’s a competition very attached to us, and a beautiful game to play against, a massive club with a very special occasion as well, with the amount of supporters that they’re going to bring. So a very, very good game.”

The importance of the game is perhaps amplified considering that Arsenal’s chances to reach the final of the Carabao Cup are dwindling. Plus, they face a six point gap to Liverpool in the Premier League, making it a tough ask for a league title win too.