It’s probably too early in the season to call this game a title-decider but that doesn’t mean it won’t have all the blood and thunder of a pivotal fixture.
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have an exceptional record against ‘big six’ sides in the Premier League and that has largely been built on the ‘do-or-die’ culture the manager has created. In recent seasons, his teams have put bodies, hearts and souls on the line in pursuit of results in these high-profile fixtures and I would expect nothing less on Sunday.
Though the three points on offer are the same as the three on offer against any other side, of course, but Arteta’s sides rarely struggle for motivation on the biggest stage. They revel in it.
So, if nothing else, I expect we’ll see a fiesty, full-blooded affair on Merseyside. And though I have reservations about the strength of Liverpool’s defence this season, I don’t think there’ll be much between the two sides. Arne Slot’s men showed on Monday at Newcastle that they also have the stomach for a fight.
So where might the difference be made?
In tight games like these, the difference is made in moments; a mistake, some individual brilliance, a refereeing error. It only takes a moment.
Last year, when the squad was pared back to its bones, we had to rely on resilience and sheer bloody-mindedness to get us through games. This season, we have a chance to do more in those crucial moments, especially at the top end of the pitch. In Noni Madueke, Eberi Eze, and Viktor Gyoleres we have players capable of changing games in a moment. These are players with X factor, with the ability to make something from nothing. We have lacked that in previous years.
And let’s not forget our wild cards, the likes of Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman – young players who have shown themselves able to do scary things in moments. They are hard to predict and harder to stop.
For the first time in a long time, we go to Anfield in good form and with confidence in what we can do in attacking areas of the pitch. We have something unpredictable about us, something to fear. Too often in recent years we have been solid at the back but easy to contain elsewhere. I feel like that has changed in this campaign.
It’s early days of course, but we feel a bit more threatening than we have done previously while also retaining that ability to dig in. At Anfield, we will need both.
In terms of selection, I think injuries have forced the manager’s hand in some respects. We know Viktor Gyokeres will start and it is near certain Noni Madueke will start too in Bukayo Saka’s absence. The question marks arise over Martin Odegaard and whether he will be fit enough for kick-off and, if not, who might deputise for him.
There is also plenty to consider on the left hand side, does the manager opt for Gabriel Martinelli, Eze, Madueke, Trossard or something different entirely? Where does Nwaneri fit? Does Dowman have a chance at some minutes?
In many ways, it’s great to have such uncertainty because it means we have options.
For what it’s worth, I think the manager will opt to start Martinelli left and Madueke right with either Odegaard or Eze in the number 10 slot. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a different combination entirely.
What I can be certain of, however, is that, however we line up and whoever we select, it’s going to be a big, physical battle all over the pitch. I can’t wait.
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