Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta likes what he sees with Scott Parker and Bournemouth

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed he has “always admired” Scott Parker as a player and expects a “really difficult game” when his side visit Vitality Stadium.

The 40-year-old Spaniard was speaking ahead Arsenals’ trip to Bournemouth on Saturday and revealed just how difficult it will be for his side when they come to Dorset.

Arteta and Parker were adversaries across many years in the Premier League, with Arteta enjoying a fine career with Everton and Arsenal from 2005-2016 and Parker representing Charlton, Chelsea, Newcastle United, West Ham, Tottenham and Fulham in the top-flight across a similar period in time, 1998-2014.

"It will be a really tough match,” he explained. “I’ve been there many, many times, I know how tough it is, and I know to expect the atmosphere to be hectic.

"It’s a team that is used to winning because last year they had a really successful season, and they’ve started well this season. I know Scott Parker very, very well and I know they’re going to make it a really difficult game for us.”

Arteta’s first game as Arsenal manager came at the Vitality in December 2019 when the two sides played a 1-1 draw with goals courtesy of Dan Gosling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang respectively.

When asked what he thinks of Parker’s coaching philosophy, Arteta remained full of praise for his English counterpart.

“Really good,” he added. “I always admired him as a player, his character, I know him personally as well pretty well and and I’m really happy for him.

“The way he presents himself and the way he wants to play the game - I think its great for the game to have managers who want to play that way that he wants to and I wish him the best of luck - apart from tomorrow!”

The former Everton and Arsenal