Mikel Arteta full of praise for Premier League-ready signings

Mikel Arteta has praised Arsenal's Premier League-ready signings for their immediate impact at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners head to Liverpool on Sunday knowing that, even if they slip to defeat, they will remain top of the Premier League as they go in search of a first title in 19 years.

Arteta has so far guided Arsenal to consecutive eighth-placed finishes before ending last season in fifth.

This campaign, however, has seen a stark turnaround in form and fortune after some savvy signings added to the quality already at the club.

Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko won four Premier League titles apiece at Manchester City before leaving for north London last summer, following on from the earlier additions of Aaron Ramsdale and Ben White.

Then in January Arsenal signed Champions League winner Jorginho from Chelsea and Leandro Trossard from Brighton.

"They give you stability," Arteta said of recruiting players with experience of England’s top flight.

"Because they have already done it, because they have already experienced those (challenges) and that facilitates a lot that process, especially when you have five, six, seven new players. When a few of them are integrated already quickly to the pace, to the demands and to the understanding that is needed in the league.

"We knew that with those players that was what we hoped we were going to get, and it has been proven that it was the right decision."

Trossard arrived from Brighton after initial winter target Mykhailo Mudryk opted to sign for London rivals Chelsea instead.

Since moving from Shakhtar Donetsk, however, the £62m man has struggled to find his feet in the Premier League, whereas Trossard has shone for Arsenal.

The Belgium forward has scored once and assisted seven times