A must not lose game against Liverpool approaches
Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal squad will face one of their toughest tasks on the weekend as they get set to face off against top of the table Liverpool in what is a must not lose game for the Gunners. We have started this second half of the season off well and after what looked like a bleak end to the year, we look to have finally been able to turn our luck around, and our game against Liverpool will show us just how far we’ve come and can go.
Liverpool have had a great season so far, and with the news recently coming out the Jurgen Klopp will be leaving at the end of the season, it feels like every Liverpool player will not only be playing for themselves or for the title, but also for him and his last season on Merseyside, which makes it a tall task for Arsenal but not an impossible one.
We’ve already played Liverpool twice this season, and haven’t been able to walk way victorious on either occasion, drawing away at Anfield 1-1 in what was a match that we were somewhat lucky to score early and get going, as they pretty much dominated us for the rest of the game but with good defending we ended up holding them to a draw, and the 2-0 loss at The Emirates in the FA Cup that saw us get knocked out of the competition.
If Arsenal wants to be challenging for the title this season, were going to have to beat one of the sides were competing against in this half of the season and Liverpool would be the perfect side to win against that would get us back on track and fill the team with confidence going forward.
It’s a tall ask but ever since Arsenal came back from warm weather training they’ve looked a different side, linking up well together and sharing around the goals. Players are stepping up as leaders and look like they feel like they could easily run away with this if they push and work hard for the rest of the season.
Obviously, a win is what everyone wants and fans will be praying for, but as long as we don’t walk away defeated, I think we can walk away with our head held high but a win could do our team so much good going forward and could be the catalyst for us winning the league.
It’s going to be a hard game but hopefully our lads are up for it because they have the chance to do something special and start a domino effect that will hopefully carry until the end of the season.
What’s your thoughts Gooners?
Daisy Mae
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Considering we lost to them at home in FA cup game, We should make efforts and win on Sunday. But if we can’t, then don’t lose.
The only downside is if we get a draw Aston villa could catch up with us if they win.
Arteta Is my main concern
Failing to get a result against pool, then we are out of the title picture, there is no way back as we will need to be almost perfect to stand any slight chance
A lose then we are starting to look over our shoulders fighting with spurs and villa for the top 4 spot, as they are breathing down our neck… it’s so annoying that just slightly over a month ago we were top of the league yet we could be in for a top 4 fight
My concern is our finishing more than anything. We create plenty thanks to MA tactics, but our finishing (along with the injuries) is the main reason we’ve dropped off a little.
We created 4 clear cut chances to Liverpool’s 1 when we lost to them recently, which tells you everything you need to know.
We’ll definitely create plenty against them, but can we finish?
Why are the players suddenly turning bad with their finishing, most times the players looks out of form and existed yet he failed miserably with rotating players, why must miss firing players be on the pitch 90min? Can’t he do something different? the key factor is Arteta, In my opinion better rotation and squad management will take off some of this finishing problems, rotate better and consistently make performance base subsitutions to impact games. Not the pre-game substitutions of taking off Martinelli for Trossard and vice versa when Saka is having a bad game and stays in the field and when he misses a chance we are complaining when he is visibly struggling they are humans. Or keep Zinchenko on the field when managing games while in a winning position. We all know it is just a matter of time to commit an error leading to a goal and creating a frantic end of the game. Or unnecessarily take off Jesus when Odegaard is having a bad game. It’s simple to say we are missing chances but who keep fielding struggling player’s? Trossart will have a great game and the next he is on bench, give him a run of game when he is firing and introduce Martinelli slowly… arteta is so afraid of using his squad whom many he handed contracts to
I disagree. The early days Auba was starved of service, and who’s fault was that? It was because of Arteta’s tactics.
We now play in the complete opposite way. Instead of counter attacking, we dominate, and with that domination, we create plenty of chances. In fact, it’s very rare to see us not create clear cut chances.
Are there other issues like a lack of rotation, I agree slightly on that point, although because of the lack of squad depth and injuries, rotation hasn’t always been available.
But the main issue is our finishing, and if you don’t believe me, just look at our forwards individual stats compared to last season. If we struggled to create, I’d agree it’s a tactical issue, but that’s simply not true, and the stats back that up.
You don’t want to blame Artera yet you complain about squad depth, After more than four years we still lack squad depth, when 1/3 of the 1st team players were here before he came, who’s fault is it that we lack squad depth? He has done many things right and at same time done many wrong
He came as a rockie, we accepted he will learn on the job and gain experience, so it’s what we signed for we are getting, let’s hope he improves quickly, the fans can only be patient for so long
Jen, I have to disagree. Yes, there have been games like the West Ham game where we created enough chances to win 4 matches, but there have also been a lot of games where the players look devoid of ideas.
Against Nottm Forest we were pretty lame and were lucky they switched off for Jesus’s goal. Against Palace our actual style of play created very few opportunities and it was set pieces and counter attacks that won us that game, so again our main way of playing and creating chances failed.
We were much better last season and I for one would prefer to see us return to that way of playing because the change in tactics this season hasn’t improved the team and if anything has actually stalled its progress from last season. We didn’t lose the league last year because of the way we played, we lost it because of mentality and injuries to key players at vital points in the season and lack of cover of a sufficient quality.
You want us to play like we did last year? Get Partey back in the middle of the pack, he was the difference last season with his perfect press breaking strength and always passing forward.
Rice is learning our way.
we are not changing manager dude, get over it
Champions League next year is a good result, also the minimum result
I think we were way ahead of where we should be last year and therefore fans are thinking we are not playing well !
Reality is we were top 4/5 last year but many poor teams meant we led for a very long time and then ran out of steam because we didn’t have a big enough squad.
We have solidified top 4 level this year and are still 1 or 2 players short of being a consistent challenge for the title
Everyone saying we only scored 2 goal in the 3 matches prior to Xmas but the fact was we created 60 chances !!!!
So with a quality younger midfielder to replace Partey and an out and out striker that should put us in a good position to compete for the top honours for many years to come as we have such a young squad ! And Klopp gone this season a d probably Pep as soon as City get a huge fine and points deduction !
This is virtually why arsenal fans are used as a mocking stock, really on klopp leaving and city relegated to win the league, what a poor man mentality
Excellent post Neil! My sentiments exactly. Last year was a welcome surprise but perhaps raised expectations too high. The defense is coming into form, especially with Timber. Havertz seemed like an attempt to both replace Xhaka and have a striker, but it just didn’t pan out. An out and out clinical striker (freeing Jesus to support Saka) and one of the long list of #6 or #8 midfielders to replace Partey and complement Rice seem to be the final pieces.
I see us winning easily, as long as we take our chances (Unlike in the FA Cup match) and be disciplined defensively.
I also see Brentford beating or drawing with Man City on Monday.
My dream team
Raya
White Saliba Gabby Zinny
Partey ( If fully fit )
Ode Rice
Saka Gabby Martinelli ( Trossard)
3-1 to the Arsenal
Keep dreaming
Gundown
Alright mate.
We will see
You started drinking early today?
Partey is never fit and Zinchenko will get abused if he plays. Trossard is so average I don’t get why everyone loves him so much.
Any players you like in the team??
Yes. I don’t necessarily think they are always used in the way that will get the best out of them or are the right quality for our aspirations but I have no issue with the players themselves.
I think Trossard is a fine technical player but not good enough for this team
I like Zinchenko but think he would perform better in Xhaka’s old role due to his defensive frailty.
I really like Nketiah (he reminds me of Ian Wright) but ultimately can’t score goals in this team.
I think Havertz is excellent and could go on to emulate RvP if used as a striker.
I like David Raya. I think his distribution is fantastic but ultimately Ramsdale is a better shot stopper but terrifying with the ball at his feet.
I think Jesus is magnificent but would be better used as a winger instead of our primary striker.
I think Thomas Partey is fantastic when fit but is unfortunately unreliable and isn’t likely to improve now he’s in his 30s.
I think Ben White is great and should absolutely be in the England squad every single time.
I really like Gabriel’s combative qualities and think many of the times he has been caught out recently is due to Zinchenko’s positioning.
I don’t think I need to justify my thoughts on Saka, Odegaard, Rice, Saliba, Martinelli, ESR, Tierney.
I also actually like Albert Sambi-Lokonga and have enjoyed watching him play for Luton this season.
I think this team has great potential, Pat. I like our players I just get frustrated with some of the performances.
Last season a draw against Liverpopl at Anfield was the begining of our downward slope, another draw won’t help. The players can take encouragement from our 3:2 win over them at the Emirate last season. This game is winnable for Arsenal if our forward players can be clinical because Arsenal always create chances.
If we don’t take our chances like the FA match then, I fear for the worst because Liverpool have dangerous frontline. But I am optimistic Arsenal will win.
In terms of just looking at the game only, yes……in terms of the bigger picture no!
Football is not maths
No, because a draw would likely boost Liverpool’s confidence for the title race. We must win to make other teams fear us at the Emirates
@Gai yea NO. But a lose would be worse. The game is indeed winnable if our frontline would be clinical. Arsenal are sure to create chances.
Based on our last game against Liverpool and their game against Chelsea, their attackers are way more lethal than ours. We should make their CBs panic with our high-press
The only way you can guarantee your opponents dropping points, is to take tgem off them yourselves. So only axwin will do. A draw would give City something and that is something to avoid as well.
@Reggie
RealTalk 👍🏾
That ain’t correct, Sylva. We have a superior +9 goal difference over both Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspurs who are both three points behind. If we draw the game, we’d be on 47 points; even if both Spurs and Villa win their games, they’d be on 46. Even if we lose, we’d remain on 46, and we’d still superior goal difference, except of course either Villa or Spurs win by +10 goals in their respective games which, it must be said, sounds absurd.
Our concern shouldn’t really be Villa. It’s Manchester City and Liverpool. I’m comfortable with Liverpool leading than Man City because once Man City gets ahead, and with their players coming back and their squad fuller, it becomes more difficult to catch up. We’re gradually getting to that point in the season where their experience, together with their obvious quality, will carry them on until the end.
We’re currently tied at 46 points with Man City but they have an outstanding game which if they win, they’d move to 49, just two points with Liverpool. Whereas, if we play a draw with Liverpool this weekend, Man City will have the opportunity to then play their outstanding game and possibly go ahead, win and be tied on points with Liverpool (at 52).
We just have to beat Liverpool because a draw might not be good enough for us at the end of the season; we’ve lost games we had no business losing, and drew games we could have managed to win. But it’s still a long away. Sixteen games is an awful lot, and so much will still happen down the road. However, can this Arsenal pick up points when it matters most? We still have to play Man City, Man Utd, Spurs, and West Ham away. And we still have to play Newcastle, and Villa at home. Those are my worries.
Whatever we play against Liverpool this sunday (hopefully we don’t lose that game), the team that benefits most is Man City. But we’re much better off if we win. A draw might still be OK. At least, we’d have the satisfaction Liverpool won’t be opening a further gap on us for now. But, as I said earlier, Man City may just leapfrog them by a point if they win their game and the outstanding one they have. That’d mean we’d be six points adrif the top. That’s tough enough to even consider when it’s Man city. So we hope Man City drop points to make it more assailable for us.
Frankly, Arsenal isn’t winning this league this season. We’d be up there fighting for it, but odds favour Man City and now Liverpool. We just have to careful because Spurs and Villa are right behind waiting to leapfrog. But I think we’d finish well ahead of them at the end of the season
Funny
You want to be looking at city and Liverpool yet downplaying the implementation of not winning the match, do you realise not winning Liverpool could drag us into a top 4 fight, we could be closer to the top 4 fight than the league
Exactly as I see it , you fellow realist!
Only a win will make me happy, Liverpool is ready for a wake-up call.
You reckon lol
I think some of our fans are personally
There’s the wake up call Ben, I am happy now!
A point wouldn’t be the end of the world ,but we are at home and have had an extra 24 hours rest so 3 points should be the target .
agreed, of course winning and 3 points is the target, but a draw keeps us in it
and that is where the article is right, a ‘must not lose’ vs ‘must win’
That extra 24hrs ain’t gonna count for much. Nunez will run all day and will terrorize our defense all day long.
Jota is tricky and will get at least 1 or 2 chances and you can expect him to take at least one of them.
The problem is Saka will be up against Gomez/Robertson + Nunez who may play down the left and will do his defensive work.
Zinchenko will probably play and at least won’t be up against Salah but you can expect Klopp to target him.
Our best route for success will be Martinelli up against their young RB if he plays or a not 100% Trent but even then I worry about Zinchenko.
We can win this game if we are at our best and we can keep the ball but I think they will destroy us on the counter attack if we do.
Liverpool’s attack is the best in the league with or without Salah. Nunez is a pest when he’s off form and unplayable when he’s on and he’s been on fire recently. Jota is tricky and has caused us problems in the past.
We can win but I don’t think we will and if we can get a draw that will be a great result. Make no mistake, we are not favourites for this game. And Saliba and Gabriel are going to have a horrible afternoon win or lose.
Plainly, in stark contrast to a phase that is palpably untrue in this piece ” we certainly CANNOT walk away with out heads held high” if we do anything other than beat Liverpool,. A DRAW WOULD BE A TERRIBLE RESULT FOR US.
Anything less than a win will virtually eliminate ANY serious hopes for the title for us this season. Almost ALL fans know this to be so, even if the author of this piece obviously does not!
But for an outrageous VAR howler when Liverpool played at Spurs early this season, widely recognised as a howler throughout all who know Prem football, Liverpool would and OUGHT to be unbeaten in the Prem so far.
Only a win will do, nothing less!!!
It’s not complicated. Arsenal have to dominate the game. That means to give everything…it’s a cup final situation….a six pointer. Total concentration. Liverpool are devastating on the break….sooooo….we must put the ball in the back of the net with our chances. Composure, shots and crosses from everywhere. If we play the sloooow possession based game, we will lose or draw. The play from back to front must be at intensity. Sadly I don’t think Arteta can change. He’ll try to slowly pick Liverpool’s lock and hope to bore them into submission. If we go for them with intensity (and as always a bit of luck) we will beat them. If we try to bore them to death with “Sideways Sally” passes, we will draw or lose. Courage and bravery are on the menu. Mr White….yes you Ben….speed up tomorrow, just for one day.
Obviously I want a win against Liverpool and a win would help us significantly mentally and points wise
However, a draw would be far from a terrible thing. Drawing with the top team in the league would be acceptable
A draw would be a terrible result for us, as it would put us out the title race. A draw for Liverpool would be decent result. In my opinion, whoever wins this game will be brimming with confidence and likely go on a run of wins. I hope it’s us that get all the points but it’s gonna have to be one hell of a performance to win. Every one of our players that takes part needs to raise their game tomorrow and play like it’s the final of the champions league. Our supporters also need to bring the fire, to boil the Emirates cauldron into viscously bubbling soup of roaring energy that strikes fear into the heart of the Liverpool players, every time they touch the ball. Come on Arsenal ♥️🤍
A draw does not put us out of the title race and is not “terrible”.
Of course, we would prefer to win but some perspective is required here. There are many games left to play so fans really need to reign in this unnecessary anxiety related to the result of one match.
DAVID, Plainly, whether or not, a daw against Liverpool is or is not “terrible” is a mattEr of opinion. In reality thE word terrible would be only sensibly appLied to a death or graVe illness or some massive human disastersuch as war.
Therefore, to use ridiculously overhyped words such as “terrible or hero or greatness” about mere football folk is, in reality untrue.
But in football folk parlance only, I repeat, that the word “terrible” (meaning to our title hopes), is, in my view, the RIGHT AND CORRECT word to use. But it is only personal opinion and NOT FACT!
I see the grammar police are back.
You wrote ALL that because someone said Terrible????
The funny thing is, Pat, Jon Fox presents some of the most obnoxious grammar I’ve ever witnessed. Over punctuated tripe.
The ACTUAL point I made was to show how hyped and OTT so many football adjectives are, PAT.
If a player or team plays “terribly”, the world does not end. The vast majority of humans all across our planet dont even know or care at all about that.
But if an Earthquake or a war kills thousands or millions, THAT would indeed be TERRIBLE! IT ENDS OR CHANGES THE FUTURE LIFE OF ORDINARY AND IMPORTANT FOLK.
Answer this question ,if you will PAT: WOULD YOU PREFER NO MORE WARS EVER AGAIN? Or would you prefer that milions continue dying and being maimed for life and wars to continue but Arsenal win the treble? Which is it PAT? I KNOW WHAT I PUT FIRST
My point, though you plainly completely missed seeing it, is that football vastly overrates its own importance, other than to football folk only.
“Football folk” naturally includes fans.
You post looks pretty pathetic now, doesn’t it PAT!
MY post looks pathetic? Now it’s time yo put the grammar police to bed. Terrible, awful, horrible, pathetic and a complete waste of time is what this series of comments are. Get a life Jon….
Being happy with a point always depends on the day and how you have played. For example, no Arsenal fans should have been happy with a point at Anfield last season after being up 2-0, however drawing there this season was probably a satisfying consolation result. My gut feeling tells me that we’ll see a similar result today. Arsenal will score first with Liverpool equalizing from one of our defensive blunders. Liverpool are not that great a team but I don’t believe we have the right players to dominate a big game from start to finish.
Joe S has predicted a draw and I believe many neutral observers would do the same. However, I feel it is unrealistic to compare today’s game with the one at Anfield because of differing circumstances. It would also be presumptuous to equate today’s clash to Liverpool’s game against Chelsea last week. These are two different situations and that game should not be used as a yardstick for every game where Liverpool is involved. The Chelsea of these days is different to the Chelsea of the past. It is true Liverpool has some good players and so does Arsenal. Today’s game will be won more on intangibles, such as the desire and determination to win, rather than physical factors because both teams are good. Thus, the way our boys start the game, their determination not to cede ground to the opposition and the ability to take their chances, will be o igreat benefit to Arsenal. The fact that the game is at Emirates is also an advantage because our fans will do their best to lift up the team. While all that is good psychologically, we cannot ignore the team’s tactical performance. I don’t believe that Liverpool’s playing tactics are superior to ours. At Anfield we actually played better. We were let down by our inability to capitalise on our good performance. If we improve on our defensive ability and finishing capability we shall beat Liverpool.
That’s what I’m hoping for as well, Mr. Russo.