Mikel Arteta says Arsenal have the opportunity to prove they can mix it with the big boys when Liverpool visit the Emirates on Sunday.
The Gunners have been in impressive form so far this season winning seven games out of eight in the league, however, with a history of wetting the bed when the pressure is on, there remain plenty who think the Spaniard’s side is simply enjoying a purple patch rather than being genuine top four contenders.
Keen to change the narrative, Arteta laid down the gauntlet to his players.
“It’s another really exciting game to play in front of our people against one of the toughest opponents in this league. It’s gonna be a really demanding match that will require us to be at our best again,” he said.
“Obviously this is a big match, it’s a fixture that everybody is looking for against an opponent that in the last five, or six years has shown the level that they have.
“We have to show against those opponents that we have raised the level and we’re ready to compete against them.
He added: “I’m very conscious that we can get much better than where we are today. There are a lot of aspects that we have to do much better to be the team we want to be and the challenge now is to do it every three days.”
Liverpool come into the match 11 points behind the Gunners, albeit with a game in hand. Struggling with injuries, it’s been a stuttering start for last season’s Champions League finalists which has led to Klopp describing his side as “a work in progress”.
“I think every team [is a work in progress],” noted Arteta.
“Our team is as well. You always want to get better and you always see the weaknesses that you want to improve. What is certain is that they are a magnificent team.
“I’m not here to judge what Liverpool are, I’m here to talk about what we’ve are. I think what they’ve done in the last five years doesn’t need any presentation, it’s clear that they’ve been up there in every single competition for the last five years, so credit for what they’ve done.”
Playing into Arsenal’s favour this weekend will be a raucous home crowd. A full-house Emirates Stadium produced one of the best atmospheres of recent memory for last weekend’s north London derby and the boss is keen for more of the same.
“Keep giving them more reasons to be even more present and supportive with the team,” he replied when asked how his players can maintain the connection with fans.
“But listen, we cannot ask for anything more at the minute, the atmosphere they are creating every time we’re playing is fantastic and we want to continue to have those moments every time we play together.”
What a site it will be if we manage to get “it’s only Liverpool” cliche from those armchair coaches.
Time to believe! Time to produce! I’m sure it’s Arsenal’s time to be feared once again C’mon the Gunners !!!
A win would prove we could maintain good form against teams likely to challenge for the top 4 places at the end of the season.
Liverpool isn’t (yet) in top gear so it’s probably a good time to play them, but I don’t think we should underestimate their potential threat. Klopp knows winning away against the leaders would do wonders for confidence and could be the start of a push up the table before the World Cup break.
I think we will win, although it may be tight.
Klopps a little bitch though, used to respect the man. Big drama queen
The real ”drama queen” out of all of the current premier league managers/head coaches is the one in post at Spurs.
This will be a much more difficult game than last week. There’s no way Liverpool are going to sit back and try to hit us on the counter. A win would be massive but I’d settle for a point.
I think we’ll shade it, but I don’t expect a goal feast. We must really try to avoid giving City the chance to go top particularly in this very busy month when the squad will be tested. Unless Haaland gets injured (or just tired out – we can hope) it’s unlikely they’re going to be dropping too many points and leading the PL will just be another incentive.
Big Willie time
ARSENAL BEWARE
Liverpool usually play for A RED CARD.
Then they beat us. Jota the usual suspect.
Hope we play our own game and beat them. COYG
It’s a good time to play the Scousers.
Defensively, they look all over the place: I’m certain we’ll get goals on Sunday. We just have to stop conceding bad goals at home.
We haven’t had a draw yet this season and so we’re due one: that’s why I think it will be 2-2
Nah, I raise you 3 1 to the Arsenal.
Nah, we will win against Liverpool this time. 3-1 to Arsenal!
Liverpool are due for a blackeye on the pitch.
I hope so. It’s about time we gave them one as I think we’ve had only one home win in the PL against them since 2013.
I’m inclined to believe that only the pundits and Liverpool are actually worried about us, rather than the opposite.
Is the opposite that we should be worried about the pundits?
Some of them used to score a lot as far as I remember
I’ve got us 25/1 to beat the Phlegm Spouters 3-1 and Jesus to score.
COYG 😊
Haha good luck bruv, not bad odds. Just make sure you keep your windows up if you’re driving passed Jamie Carragher.
“Never ask for directions in
WalesLiverpool, Baldrick. You’ll be washing spit out of your hair for weeks after.”Those faces
smash that mug
It’s the most emotionally dead hug I’ve ever seen.
Unpopular opinion :
Seems we have forgotten biereth 😁.he is doing well
I’d be tempted to play Tierney on the left side instead of Zinchenko to give us more solidity against Salah and TAA.
Liverpool have always seemed to overrun us in midfield in previous seasons though, agree with Tierney helping more with Salah and TAA but I think we need that extra player (Zinchenko) filling in in midfield.
Klopp went mental at Arteta last season. I think he sees us as a genuine threat bow. Pep was already on his level so he’s always been chummy. Now he’s in danger of the new kid taking his place. A win in this game could be the first move towards the power shift, as well as Kloop’s position looking a little rocky. They’ll know they need to turn up against us and I’m expecting the full gamut of dirty tricks from them.