Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has declared manager Mikel Arteta as "very special" as they sit top of the Premier League table.

This season, Arsenal have dropped just seven points from 19 games and sit at the top of the division ahead of Manchester City.

"Last season, we lost the first three games of the season," Xhaka told 20 Min. "Some people were already at the end of their patience. But now you see what can happen when you give a coach time. After all, this is his first-ever stint as head coach. He is something very special.

"I've had many coaches in my career, but never one like Arteta. He seems like he is focused only on football 24 hours a day.

"He always has a plan A, B – and maybe even a plan Z. But he's not only top tactically, but he's also top as a person."