Mikel Arteta: Arsenal boss expected Chelsea to be title ‘contenders’ this season
Chelsea briefly looked like Liverpool’s closest challenger to Liverpool, when they moved to two points after five wins.
However, they have only won four of their 12 games since, especially on defense, which exposed many miserable losses.
Although Chelsea’s game style and recurring issues have caused criticism from their own supporters, Arteta supports former Leicester manager Maresca to get the right criticism.
“He is a grand coach,” Arteta added.
“He knew exactly what he wanted to do, he knew exactly what he wanted and what he did. I really liked how his team performed.”
Meanwhile, Arteta said guard Myles Lewis-Skelly In Thomas Tuchel’s first lineup, His potential was demonstrated on the club’s pre-season US tour.
“You see talent,” he said, and the 18-year-old made his debut in September.
“You see their reaction to some stimulus or challenges. Then, you start thinking we have a player here – but you have to do that. I was impressed by him when he was against Liverpool as he was.
“His consistency, his habits and the way he trains every day, gives you the right reason to think about him. The best way to speak is to speak in any player.”
