West Ham United boss David Moyes has explained how "business" has got in the way of him speaking with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in recent times.
Moyes managed Arteta at Everton for six years during the Spaniard's playing days before he eventually joined the north Londoners back in 2011. The now-41-year-old retired five years later before becoming the Gunners' head coach back in December 2019.
"You always think the best thing about being a manager is when your career is over and you get a chance to enjoy the players you’ve played with," Moyes said when asked about Arteta ahead of today's clash between their two teams. "I’ve got to say, I’ve had loads of players who’ve been coming to see me at West Ham, come for dinner or they come into the training ground, but Mikel’s on his own career now.
READ MORE: New club enters Folarin Balogun transfer battle amid Arsenal summer decision
"And he’s also been an apprentice to probably one of the finest managers, if not the best, in Pep (Guardiola), which will have given him a lot of stuff. He’s had a good background. Before that, he’s worked under Arsene Wenger, who was an exceedingly good manager as well.
"So hopefully he’s on the right path. He’s a good boy. And like I said, he’s got a chance of being a champion this year.
"We don’t talk much now, because it’s business, you know? But I’ve always had a strong relationship with Mikel. Letting him leave Everton to go to Arsenal was difficult because he was such a good player for us. But that’s what happens in football."
If Arteta leads his side to a win at the London Stadium, they will be six points clear at the top of the Premier League table, although second-placed Manchester City will have a game in hand on their title rivals. Next weekend, City play in the semi-finals of the FA Cup whilst Arsenal play Southampton in the league, meaning that the Gunners could have played two more league matches by the time they travel to the Etihad Stadium for their potential title decider in just ten days.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal line-ups vs West Ham with Kiwior decision, no Trossard return as Zinchenko starts
Arsenal training footage confirms Ben White's status for West Ham as wonderkid is called up
Arsenal's best case scenario as Champions League incentive ahead of West Ham clash is revealed
Why so many want Arsenal to bottle their Premier League title challenge with Man City
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, views and rumours from the Emirates Stadium
