Arsenal have a chance to make a statement when they take on reigning champions Liverpool on Thursday night. Arteta’s men, much maligned for their inability to get the job done in season’s past, have a chance to pull 17 points clear of the defending champs.
City have faltered in their last two matches, picking up some serious injury issues in the process. Victory for the Gunners will feel like a ‘passing of the baton’ moment (think Federer’s win over Sampras at the 2001 Wimbledon Championships). Arne Slot’s squad has been eviscerated by injury this year and there is a growing undercurrent of anti-Slot sentiment (these guys tend to attribute last year’s title to Klopp’s lingering influence). But I think he will curry some serious favour from Liverpool fans if he could momentarily scupper Arsenal’s seemingly unstoppable title surge.
Arsenal turning the Emirates into Highbury 2.0
One key reason for Arsenal’s sustained success this season has been their ability to get the job done on their home patch. The Gunners have eliminated some of the home-ground stinkers that have dogged them in recent seasons, winning 14 of their 15 home matches this season (they drew the other). They have won 12 on the bounce at the Emirates, most recently giving Aston Villa a proper reality check in a 4-1 comeback win. They started shakily in their last outing at the Vitality, with Gabriel producing one of his rare (but hilarious) howlers. But they showed tremendous character to come back, with returning Declan Rice commanding the midfield with Viera-esque assuredness.
Just what the doctor ordered
For the first time in ages, Mikel Arteta has been left with mainly positive selection issues to deal with. He is without just three players for Liverpool’s visit: Dowman, Mosquera and (probably) Calafiori. Even Kai Havertz is in contention for a spot (though I doubt Arteta will rush his favourite pet project). Gabriel, Rice and Gabriel Jesus have all made in returns in recent weeks, affording Arteta the opportunity to safely rotate his squad without compromising the quality of the starting 11. Squad rotation has arguably been the single biggest area of growth for Arteta this season. In recent seasons, he has been guilty of running the likes of Saka and Martinelli into the ground.
Reds in deceptively strong form
The Reds were desperately unlucky last time out, dropping two points at Craven Cottage after Harrison Reed scored possibly the greatest last-gasp equalizer in Premier League history. Slot’s side have lost fluidity in recent months, losing the identity that helped them romp to the title last season. Yet despite all this, Liverpool are now unbeaten in their last nine matches in all competitions (five wins and four draws). Liverpool dug out a win at Anfield in August’s reverse fixture (Dominic Szoboszlai’s outrageous free-kick feels like a distant memory now). But they have lost their last three trips to the Emirates and have everything working against them this time round.
Some minor rays of light for the Reds
Slot went a little too hard in the transfer market, decimating the balance of his squad with too many marquee signings. On top of that, Isak is now out for the foreseeable future while Salah is creating history at Afcon. But there have been some signs of encouragement for Slot’s men in recent weeks. Big-money acquisition Florian Wirtz has started to click in an attacking sense, scoring in his last two outings. He has a minor injury issue, but I just don’t think Slot can afford to start this game without him. More importantly, Hugo Ekitike looks like he could be primed for a return at the Emirates. The Frenchman has been their one undisputed success this season, scoring eight goals and providing three assists this Premier League campaign. Etikite’s physical presence could prove vital if Liverpool hope to destabilize the stingiest defence in the land.
Should be tighter than people suspect
Arsenal obviously have momentum behind them and are firm favourites to win this match. However, I suspect that it may be a touch closer than people anticipate. This Liverpool squad is dangerously unpredictable and won’t be overawed by the occasion- they have beaten Real and Inter in Europe this season. I think this will be an enterprising goal fest, with Rice and Zubimendi perhaps tipping the scale in Arsenal’s favour with their midfield industry. Regardless of the result, it promises to be a spectacle.
