Jose Mourinho comments on Arsenal new signings including David Luiz’ move across London

Jose Mourinho has commented on Arsenal’s summer transfer dealings via Sky Sports and praised the Gunners for their savvy business. The Gunners completed a club-record £72million deal for Lille forward Pepe, with Tierney and Luiz arriving on deadline day from Celtic and Chelsea respectively. Arsenal have also completed loan deals for Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba. Asked about Arsenal summer transfer business, Mourinho said: ‘I followed Lille a lot. Last season I didn’t want to go to English stadiums after being sacked by Manchester United and I went to Lille many times. ‘So I know Pepe quite well, I think he’s a very, very talented player but there’s always a question mark on the time you need to adapt to come to England… French spoken, African boy, grew up in France… there’s a question mark in terms of the time of his adaptation but obviously he’s a kid with a lot of talent. ‘I think he’s potentially a very good signing for Arsenal.’ ‘Tierney… I think he’s a young [Nacho] Monreal. Same kind of profile, reliable boy, looks a great character, looks a great personality, looks a little bit like he’s from a previous generation in some aspects. His humble way of being… I like his profile. Ceballos… I think that they have other Ceballos in their squad. He’s a good player but they have other Ceballos. When I see Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Ceballos… they can play in different positions on the pitch and very similar characteristics. On Luiz’s move across London, Mourinho said: ‘David is a player the manager knows well. He knows what David can give and what David cannot give. ‘I think we all know the qualities of David and where he can improve things. ‘I know that sometimes he makes mistakes, but he makes these mistakes when his concentration levels are low and when you change to a new club and you have something to prove, I think it’s a good move for him. ‘At this moment of his career to get this opportunity of a late move and stay in the Premier League at the highest level, for David, it’s a fantastic move.’

PAPER TALK: The most read news in yesterday’s news feed from Jose Mourinho’s man of the match in United vs Chelsea game to Raheem Sterling’s message to Liverpool