Marcelo Bielsa makes admission over Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ahead of Leeds United meeting

The Whites travel to face Leeds United this afternoon.
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Marcelo Bielsa believes Arsenal never lost their identity under 'great coach' Mikel Arteta this season.

The Gunners have disappointed in the Premier League this term and sit 11th - one place behind the Whites - ahead of this weekend's meeting between the two teams.

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Arteta has endured a difficult time in North London but saw his side pick up five wins in six outings over the New Year period in January.

Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa meets Mikel Arteta at Elland Road. Pic: GettyLeeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa meets Mikel Arteta at Elland Road. Pic: Getty
Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa meets Mikel Arteta at Elland Road. Pic: Getty

Arsenal, though, are winless in their last three games and have been hit by the blow of losing Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney.

United were held to a 0-0 draw by their London rivals in the reverse fixture after the Gunners were reduced to 10 men with Nicolas Pepe's dismissal.

Bielsa was quizzed over his counterpart in the opposition dugout and his impact this season.

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"He’s a great coach. His team has never lost their identity," Bielsa told reporters.

"They have used different types of players for the same position, which demands knowledge of the style. That’s my evaluation of the job of Mikel."

Asked about whether he learned anything from the Elland Road meeting, he said: "We have to bear in mind in that game they played half the game with a player down, so they were at a disadvantage and any analysis would not be balanced.

"We had so many shots, so one of the secrets of winning the game would be increasing our efficiency, as in all the games."