Arteta labels Man Utd star as ‘best player in the league’
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has labelled Man Utd midfielder Bruno Fernandes as the “best player in the league” for “many periods” this season.
This week brought up the one-year anniversary of the Portuguese’s big-money switch from Sporting Lisbon to Old Trafford, where the 26-year-old has surpassed even the most optimistic expectations.
Nobody has scored more goals for a Premier League club than Fernandes since his debut, with the midfielder taking his tally to 28 with his thumping free-kick winner against rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday.
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Arteta was warning Arsenal fans to not expect too much from January signing Martin Odegaard when he declared Fernandes as “the best player in the league” this season.
Arteta told reporters: “You look at the stats and what he [Fernandes] provides to the team it is unquestionable that he has improved them dramatically and for many periods he has been the best player in the league probably.
“The impact he’s had has been tremendous. They paid a big price to do that – Martin’s situation is completely different.
“We are getting a player who hasn’t played in the last few months almost any football but that we believe he has all the qualities and talent to be a success for our team.”
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could still be missing for Arsenal against Man Utd as he continues to be there for his mother, who is suffering from health problems.
On whether Aubameyang will make it, Arteta added: “I don’t know, I spoke with him yesterday things are looking better at the moment but we have to wait and see.
“He’s our captain and one of the most important players we are doing everything we can to have him back as quickly as possible but understanding that he’s been through a difficult few days that he had to support his family. We were here to support him with the time he needed to get that sorted.”