Thursday 22nd May 2014 by Andrew Trendell and Edward Keeble

Tags: Arctic Monkeys, Johnny Marr

Johnny Marr has spoken out in praise of Arctic Monkeys ahead of their massive shows at Finsbury Park - praising frontman Alex Turner as one of modern music's best songwriters.

Watch our video interview with Johnny Marr above

Speaking to Gigwise at the Ivor Novello Awards in London today (Thursday 22 May, 2014), The Smiths turned solo icon praised Arctic Monkeys - who were nominated for Best Album alongside Nick Cave and Laura Mvula. 

However, he dowplayed the notion that the gig might be considered 'historic'.

When asked about his favourite modern songwriters, Marr replied: "Obviously Alex Turner needs to be in there, everybody knows that."

Speaking of the band's upcoming shows at Finsbury Park this weekend, Marr said: "It's a good place to play that, though. That will be a good gig for people. I played there last year with The Stone Roses and it's a good spot."

He continued: "People try to have a lot of hyerbole and rhetoric about these things, but can't it just be a great gig? A great gig is enough for me."

Arctic Monkeys will be playing two huge gigs at London's Finsbury Park on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 May, 2014. For more information visit Gigwise tickets. 

Below: The 16 most important gigs of Arctic Monkeys' career