Leicester City vs Arsenal: Arsene Wenger impressed with Claudio Ranieri's transfer market acumen

Arsene Wenger has praised Leicester City's summer transfer activity ahead of the clash between the two clubs in the Premier League on Saturday, 26 September. Arsenal will travel to the King Power Stadium to take on the league's only unbeaten team, who are currently just above the Gunners in fourth place on the league table.

The Foxes survived their first season in the top flight despite being one of the favourites to get relegated and the French manager is impressed with their start this season. Claudio Ranieri made some shrewd buys during the summer transfer window including signing Gokhan Inler from Napoli. They have also had players from within the squad step up, especially Riyad Mahrez, who as been in stunning form in the first six games scoring five goals and providing three assists.

"They had a very strong finish last year. They finished with seven wins in the final part of the season. They scouted very well and the emergence of players like Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy makes them always dangerous," Wenger said, as quoted by Arsenal's official site.

"They brought in N'Golo Kante and I think they have done a very good job. They made 10 changes on Tuesday night against West Ham who made only three, and they had just beaten Manchester City away from home. They beat West Ham and that shows that they have a massive squad," the Frenchman added.

Wenger reserved high praise for the former Chelsea manager, with the Gunners boss suggesting that Ranieri was instrumental in setting up Chelsea for the big successes they have enjoyed over the last decade. The Frenchman is aware that Leicester poses a valid threat under the Italian manager and is hoping his team can end their unbeaten run on Saturday.

"Against Claudio it was difficult because when he left Chelsea, he built the team that was so successful at the start. I remember them finishing second in the league with Ranieri and the team was upcoming with young players like John Terry and Frank Lampard who were the players that contributed to the success of Chelsea."

"I've followed his career because I have a big respect for Claudio Ranieri. He's a great manager and a great man as well. Ranieri is Italian, they love clean sheets in Italy and they love to defend well. We would love to defend well against Leicester but also to attack well," Wenger added.