Preview: Liverpool v Arsenal

Mikel Arteta

Gunners bidding to banish Anfield demons under Saturday night lights

By Will Jennings

Mikel Arteta leads his troops into battle bidding to finally put an end to Arsenal’s Anfield horror-show.

The Gunners gaffer was last playing when Arsenal won a league game at Liverpool in September 2012 and will hope to repeat the feat in today’s Saturday evening kick-off.

Arteta, 39, has revolutionised an Arsenal side after a stuttering start to the season and his players arrive on Merseyside riding the crest of a Premier League wave.

Arsenal are defending a ten-game unbeaten run and after being bottom of the table during the first international break of the season – rivals Tottenham were top – have clambered to within touching distance of the Champions League places.

The Gunners have managed just two points from their last eight matches at Anfield, however – conceding a staggering 28 goals in the process.

But Jurgen Klopp’s team aren’t exactly in great form themselves, losing 3-2 at West Ham last time out and setting the stage for a cracking contest under the Saturday night lights.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang


Lacklustre Liverpool bidding to bounce back

Liverpool came flying out of the traps this season but had their progress derailed before the international break.

Klopp’s team were held to a 2-2 draw against Brighton at Anfield before shipping three against West Ham at a rocking London Stadium.

Goalkeeper Alisson endured a nightmare in the capital as his early own goal and strikes from Pablo Fornals and Kurt Zouma left Reds boss Klopp fuming.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Divock Origi grabbed the goals for the visitors and despite a 2-0 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid separating the fixtures, one point from six available has dented Liverpool’s confidence.

And with Jordan Henderson, Andy Robertson and Origi all doubts after the international break, the Gunners have a golden opportunity to finally banish their Liverpool away-day demons.


Resurgent Gunners riding the crest of a wave

The turnaround Arteta has masterminded at the Emirates this season has been nothing short of remarkable.

After embarrassingly failing to rack up a single point from their first three fixtures, wins over Norwich, Burnley and old foes Spurs have kickstarted a rampant recent run.

Arsenal have not lost since Manchester City embarrassed them 5-0 – way back on August 28 – and have wonderkid Emile Smith Rowe firmly fit and firing.

The Croydon ace, 21, grabbed the crucial clincher against Watford last time out – his fifth goal in eight games – and returns to club duty brimming with confidence after netting for England in the 10-0 rout of San Marino.

And with the Gunners’ defence, stabilised by the presence of rock-solid Aaron Ramsdale in goal, enjoying a run of three consecutive clean sheets in all competitions, both ends of the pitch couldn’t be functioning more fluently for Arteta and his team.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are finally re-finding their mojo and Gunners fans have every reason to dream big ahead of a pivotal period of the Premier League season.


Prediction

Saturday night’s clash has all the ingredients of Arsenal finally halting their nightmare on Merseyside and inflicting yet another blow on Klopp’s wounded Liverpool players.

A cocktail of struggling opponents, Arsenal’s unbeaten run and players like Smith Rowe, Ramsdale, Lacazette and Bukayo Saka hitting their mid-season straps mean the Gunners have a great chance of stunning the 2019 champions.

Anfield will be raucous as the players emerge from the tunnel but with Liverpool’s barren run firmly at the forefront of fans’ minds, the atmosphere could get restless if the Gunners take an early lead.

And that will surely be the game-plan for Arteta as Arsenal aim to continue their fluent, free-flowing football and make a serious statement of intent against a big-hitter heading into a hectic festive period.


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