Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has spoken of his admiration for Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger.

"I am an admirer of what Arsene has done over the years and I have a lot of time for him. He is a football man engrossed with his team and his club," Hughes told the Manchester Evening News. "The quality of the football they produce when they are in full flow is as good as any team in the Premier League or possibly Europe.

"They are prepared to spend quite a lot of money on getting young players through the door who they think will give them a better chance of working their way through to the first team. It is to be applauded because the type of football they play is easy on the eye and is effective but there are ways to beat them.

"I like going up against the `big four' because they ask huge questions of you as a team and as a manager. If you don't have quick answers then they can make it very difficult and uncomfortable for you. There has to be a game-plan and you have to have the confidence to stick to it then opportunities will come your way.

"It is a difficult place to go at the best of times and even more so when they have hit form like they have done recently. If they get into their rhythm of play and their stride then as an attacking force they can be impressive and we will respect them from that point of view.

"Arsenal are a team that have key triggers to how they play and if those triggers are not there for them then sometimes it disrupts the rhythm of their play and you can get at them.

"It is not a case of getting in the faces of the Arsenal players and being physical - it is about having an effect on their game that enhances your own game. We have more tools at our disposal now than when we beat them at home earlier in the season. We are getting players back who will certainly help us for the run-in."