Mikel Arteta expects a tough Liverpool side when Arsenal travel to Anfield on Sunday in the Premier League.
With second-placed Manchester City closing the gap to five points with a win at Southampton, the league leaders will have to respond with their first away win at Anfield in eleven years.
Liverpool are enduring a difficult campaign, languishing in 8th position and without a win in their last three matches, but have lost only once at home.
In March, Liverpool embarrassed Manchester United with a 7-0 scoreline, and Arteta understands the difficulties facing his side at Anfield.
Speaking ahead of the game, the Arsenal boss says he is expecting “the best possible Liverpool.”
“They have played games when you look from a broad perspective at those in the league, they are the best. There are things costing them points, that’s for sure. But at home, using a different kind of team, we know how it is to play there.
“We have prepared for that, expecting the best possible Liverpool and us being the best that we can be and with that, we’re going to have a chance to win the game.”
Arsenal’s last visit to Anfield in the Premier League ended in a 4-0 defeat in November 2021, Arteta believes there is an opportunity for his side to take advantage, having broken such a record against rival Tottenham Hotspur this season.
“That they are a great team, managed by a top manager and they create an incredible atmosphere that makes it really difficult for us, for any opponent, as it is when to come to the Emirates.
“You know, it’s very, very difficult, so we know that, and the opportunity is ahead of us there on Sunday to do something that we have done in the last two or three years, to win in places that the team didn’t do for many, many years.
“We have to prove on Sunday – to be able to go there and perform emotionally, be [tactically] sound and do the right thing that we have to do in each moment to get away with the result that we want.”
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Arsenal have been accused of playing with fear against Liverpool in the past seasons, but Arteta believes the current group of players at his disposal are different.
“First of all, it’s a different group, we are coming from a different position and what I see is enthusiasm and positivity. And something that you need to have and that is courage. Courage to play, courage to impose yourself on the game and be dominant. On Sunday we will try to be that team.”
January signing Leandro Trossard has become one of Arteta’s trusted players since joining from Brighton and Hove Albion. He bagged a hat-trick for the Seagulls against Liverpool at Anfield in October and may keep his place in the team on Sunday.
The Belgian has seven assists and one goal in 13 appearances for the Gunners, and Arteta says he can help the team with his experience.
“It’s great to have a player that has experience of something really nice and positive from that stadium,” Arteta said of Trossard. He was a crucial player on that day, it was a beautiful game to watch and that’s what we need; players with a lot of belief on that pitch, that we can go there and win it.”
Liverpool vs Arsenal will kick-off at 4.30pm, a win for the visitors will restore their eight-point lead at the top of the table.
