Mikel Arteta has revealed that he has a secret mole close to Marcelo Bielsa ahead of Arsenal's visit to Leeds United.
Bielsa infamously spied on Derby County's training session ahead of a Championship fixture two seasons ago.
Advert
But the Arsenal boss is giving the Leeds manager a taste of his own medicine by claiming he has inside information.
"One of my best friends spent many, many years with him," he said.
"Who is it? I prefer not to say, but they worked as a player and then next to him."
Arteta continued by saying he knows a lot about Bielsa's method and hailed his work at the Elland Road club.
Advert
"So, I know a lot about his methods, who he is as a person, who he is as a manager as well and I've admired him for many, many years.
"I have followed his work, his ways of playing, the way he is able to change a football club immediately with his mentality and the messages he sends, with his personality and charisma.
"I've been very impressed with what he has done in England since he joined Leeds.
"He has transformed the club. He has transformed the belief of everyone around the club, the fans, that they could come back and be the club they were a few years back."
'El Loco' returned the compliment, calling Arsenal one of the best teams in the Premier League.
Advert
"Arsenal is one of the best teams in the league," he said.
"They have players of hierarchy in all of their lines.
"They have a manager who proposes a style which distinguishes the team. He's a coach who wants his team to play as he projects.
"From a tactical point of view, if you watch Arsenal closely they show things that I have never seen in any other team."
Featured Image Credit: Football Daily/PATopics: Football News, Marcelo Bielsa, Football, Premier League, Leeds United, Arsenal, Mikel Arteta