Arsenal travel to Anfield next which is ground the Gunners haven’t won at in over ten years in the league, however Granit Xhaka is confident Arsenal can end that drought this weekend.
Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League, eight points clear of Manchester City after their win at the Emirates this weekend against Leeds United.
The Gunners are currently on their best winning run of Mikel Arteta’s three year reign as Arsenal manager, with seven Premier League wins in a row, since the defeat to title rivals Manchester City back in January.
However Arsenal face a massive test to make it eight consecutive wins as they travel to Anfield next, where they have not won since a 2-0 victory in September 2012 which manager Mikel Arteta played in.
Granit Xhaka believes Arsenal now have what it takes to bring an end to that winless run, but he insists they will take nothing for granted.
Liverpool currently sat eighth in the League after losing 4-1 to Manchester City on Saturday & are struggling for consistency this season, however their best results have come against the big six so far this campaign.
Granit Xhaka speaking to the Evening Standard on Liverpool:
“It does not matter how their season is going – they are always a dangerous team and, at Anfield, a very difficult team to play.
But we have confidence enough to win there as well. This is what we will try to do. That’s why we are going there, so let’s see if we can bring the three points back.
If I am honest, we are looking at ourselves [and not Manchester City]. We have everything in our hands – nine games to go now.
Let’s say five points over City – or eight now we have played one game more. It is most important what happens in the team, not what anybody else does.”
Granit Xhaka celebrating his goal against Leeds United. [Image Credit: Getty Images]
Arsenal have scored four goals in both of their last two home games against Crystal Palace and Leeds United. However the first goal hasn’t always been easy to come by.
Granit Xhaka speaking on how teams set-up differently against Arsenal now:
“It was not always easy or open. Teams are playing against us now very deep, waiting for our mistakes and counter-attacking.
We know that when we score the first goal that maybe they have to open the game a bit more and in the second half they did that. The first half we had to fight more.”
Gabriel Jesus was back on the scoresheet for the first time in six months against Leeds United. The striker had been out since the World Cup with a knee injury, however the Brazilian now looks to be back to his best which is a huge boost for Arsenal with nine games remaining.
Granit Xhaka has insisted Gabriel Jesus remained a key part of the squad, during his rehab, by influencing matters off the pitch:
“When you are injured it does not mean that you don’t have anything to do with the team any more.
It was the same with myself as well when I had my injury. From outside you see a different picture than from within the team.
You know exactly when and how to help and Gabi has been excellent because it is not always easy for himself to be out for three or four months but he was very positive in the dressing room and that is what we need.”
Gabriel Jesus celebrating his goal against Leeds United. [Image Credit: Getty Images]
Arsenal travel to Anfield on Sunday the 9th April to take on Liverpool with the aim of keeping their eight point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
