Sergej Jakirovic on Hull City's challenge facing one of europe's best
Sergej Jakirovic thinks Arsenal are one of the two best teams in Europe right now, so his Hull City players will have to be ready for the Gunners to take control of Saturday's game at Ashburton Grove.
The Gunners are top of the Premier League they won last season, with only a defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion ruining their otherwise perfect record. They are third in the Champions League group stage, having lost last season's final to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.
"I think currently they are playing maybe the best football together with Paris Saint-Germain," said Jakirovic. "They are playing very well.
"I think right now with Man City they are on a different level in this league," he said.
"You will try to make some difficulties, but they will control everything. It depends how we will be.
"Maybe aggressive front footed in duels, but we try to close these gaps because when you watch them, they create space by themselves.
"In open play they have some mechanisms, but in st-pics they are the best team in the league so it will be very demanding."
The Tigers have a doubt over midfielder Hidemasa Morita, whose Tigers career has been dogged by injuries.
"Morita will have one more scan. He has a groin and adductor problem. It's the same leg as last time.
"Maybe he will be out for this game.
"But it's normal. I expected these problems since he was not with us in pre-season."
Mohameed Belloumi and Lucas Gourna are both expected to be fit.