Mikel Arteta says he can already see Ruben Amorim’s “fingerprints” at Manchester United.
Amorim has been in charge of Manchester United for three games after being hired to replace Erik ten Hag, who was sacked in October.
The 39-year-old has been unbeaten in those three matches, but now faces a trip to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
And Arteta believes he can already see how Amorim is looking to transform United as Arsenal prepare to host them.
“You can see his fingerprints in what he wants to do straight away,” said Arteta. “He’s been very clear with what he wants to do.
“What he did with Sporting was remarkable after so many years. Especially the way he did it and the way his teams are playing.
“It brings energy to a new club and the players which is always positive. But we have to focus on what we’re doing.”
Arteta has faced Amorim before, with Arsenal taking on Sporting in the last 16 of the Europa League during the 2022-23 season.
Sporting knocked the Gunners out on penalties after both legs finished in a draw, but Arteta insists Wednesday is not a revenge mission.
“Not revenge. In football it’s about another opportunity,” he said. “Whether you have beaten them or lost against any opponent it’s another game.
“We learned that. We played Sporting a few days ago and it was different from a few years ago. That has no meaning.”
Arteta, like Amorim, landed a big job early in his managerial career and he was hired by Arsenal in December 2019 when he was just 37.
Amorim is two years older than that, and has experience of managing in the Portuguese top-flight, but Arteta has warned him life in the Premier League can be a bumpy ride.
“How unpredictable this job is,” he said. “I jumped into a new job in the middle of the season in very special circumstances socially.
“Then we got hit by COVID. You can plan whatever you want but football brings different things and you have to deal with it. Take it as it comes and deal with it.”
