Rafael Benítez: Arsene Wenger is the best coach in England

Rafael Benítez has spoken of his admiration for Arsene Wenger ahead of Napoli’s trip to Arsenal on Tuesday, describing the Gunners boss as the best coach in the Premier League.

Benítez’s Napoli side, who are second in Serie A, travel to Emirates Stadium looking for three points after they kicked off their Group F campaign with a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund.

Wenger’s Arsenal currently lead the way in the Premier League after having secured five straight victories since their opening-day defeat by Aston Villa.

And the Spaniard, who took over at Napoli after guiding Chelsea to Europa League glory last season, is full of respect for the Arsenal boss.

“I am expecting a strong team because I think Arsene Wenger is the best coach in the Premier League,” said Benítez.

“Wenger is a great manager, a great person and someone who knows the league here in England.

“He has experience in Europe, Arsenal is always top four and he is doing a great job. Hopefully he can win [the Champions League], but another year, not this one.”

Arsenal v Napoli: Pre-match facts

• This is Arsenal’s 16th successive Champions League campaign, longevity bettered only by Manchester United (18) and Real Madrid (17).

• Arsenal have won nine in a row in all competitions since starting their season with a 3-1 home defeat by Aston Villa, although they needed penalties to edge out West Bromwich Albion in the League Cup last Wednesday.

• Mesut Özil was a team-mate of Gonzalo Higuaín, Jose María Callejón and Raúl Albiol at Real Madrid.

• Gonzalo Higuaín’s next appearance in the Champions League will be his 50th in the competition (48 with Real Madrid). He has scored nine goals.