Spurs star Eric Dier has paid Mikel Arteta a surprise compliment ahead of their home clash against Arsenal on Sunday.
Tottenham have a chance to put real daylight between them and the Gunners this weekend as a win for the table-topping hosts will open up an 11 point gap after just 11 games.
Arsenal seemed to be heading in the right direction over the summer after winning the FA Cup and the Community Shield.
But boss Arteta has seen his side suffer more defeats than victories in the Premier League this season as they sit 14th in the table.
Defeat to Wolves at the weekend ensured their worst ever start to a season in 39 years.
Arteta said he doesn't fear the sack despite suffering a third home league defeat this term, one where they have scored just 10 goals.
But an unlikely ally in Spurs' Dier has said he is one of the most exciting young managers in Europe.
"I think they’ve got an exciting young manager,” Dier told Sky Sports.
“Obviously I’m not on the inside but from what I see personally, the most exciting young manager in Europe for sure.
“I like his way and the way he seems to be as a manager. I think they’re in good hands.”
Dier, who has started at centre back all but one of Spurs’ Premier League fixtures this season, is still wary of the threat Arsenal pose regardless of their poor form.
“They’re going through a difficult period but in these games it doesn’t matter who’s where in the table,” he added.
“We know how much of a difficult game it’s going to be and how much it means to us as players and for the fans and the club.
“The position in the table is irrelevant and it’s very early in the season for both teams.
“It’s going to be a great game either way and one we’re looking forward to.”
Jose Mourinho's side face an anxious wait over the fitness of Harry Kane, Sergio Reguilon and Carlos Vinicius as they were absent from training today.
At today's pre-match press conference, Mourinho said: "All injured. [Erik] Lamela is an injury from 3 weeks, a month.
"I don't believe he has a chance for the weekend. Harry, Vinicius and Sergio there is a chance for the weekend."
He added: "I'm not going to tell you the nature of his injury. I think he has a good chance [vs Arsenal].
"I don't want to lie, I don't want to hide anything in relation to is he going to play or no? I think he's going to play.
"That's my feeling is that he's going to play."
Toby Alderweireld is also an outside chance of playing this weekend after suffering a groin injury on November 31.
The 31-year-old returned to training this week.
Spurs will also be encouraged by the fact 2,000 home fans will be allowed into the stadium for the match against Arsenal following the government’s lifting of restrictions on attending live sporting events.
