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Benitez says Wenger is best manager in English Premier League

New Napoli boss Rafael Benitez believes Arsene Wenger is the best coach in the Premier League and has backed Arsenal as genuine contenders this season.

The former Liverpool and Chelsea boss ironically praised Wenger instead of his rival and Chelsea successor Jose Mourinho.

"Wenger is the best coach in the Premier League, then they signed good players and at this point everything is going well for them," Benitez was quoted in British media.

"I think he's a great manager, great person, someone that knows the league here in England, experience in Europe and always in the top four.

"He's doing a great job. Hopefully he can win the Champions League -- but another year, not this one."

Benitez’s comments came ahead of his Napoli side's Champions League clash with Arsenal later on Tuesday.

The Spaniard further said that other top clubs have yet not reached their desired level with their new managers at the moment, adding that it will be a question of time to see if five or six teams will be more or less the same.