By Lloyd Webb
Mikel Arteta has praised the signings Stoke City have made under manager Mark Hughes.
The Potters have brought exciting talents such as Xherdan Shaqiri and Ibrahim Afellay to Britannia Stadium this summer.
Arteta has been impressed with the business Stoke have done and expects a tough test on Saturday afternoon.
“The whole squad know that they will provide us with a considerable test,” the captain told the official matchday programme. “I think Hughes has done a really good job. He’s managed to keep getting good results while playing more attractive football.
“They’ve invested and have bought some top players - guys like Bojan, Shaqiri, Afellay and Arnautovic. That’s unbelievable and demonstrates the level of investment and the power of this league.
“You saw it with Crystal Palace too when they bought Yohan Cabaye. In my opinion, that’s why the Premier League is the best in the world.
“Stoke are still a physical side but there may not be that focus on playing as direct as they did before. They can definitely play and we’ll be aware of that this afternoon."
Mikel Arteta
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