Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has hailed the contribution of West Ham counterpart David Moyes.

Arteta played for Moyes at Everton.

Ahead of tonight's derby, Arteta said: "Well when you look at (how few) managers in this league have managed for so long and have been more successful than him, it is not easy. For how long and in the teams he has done it, the way he has done it. Obviously, I know him. I love him a lot and I am so grateful for everything he did for me and the times we had together.

"I think he is an outstanding manager and does it in a way that is, in my opinion, very, very special. Without making too much noise but I think what he has accomplished at West Ham I think is incredible."

Moyes is the 8th longest serving manager of the 92 Premier and Football League clubs – and Arteta is 7th.

"I am getting old, I think!" laughed Arteta

"I am surprised but it tells you a lot, about how difficult this job is and to keep in the job and the amount of clubs are changing managers because for years before those numbers would have been very different. It is what it is, it is the context we live in and lets keep going."