Gunners face big challenge at Anfield

Saturday’s match could be one of Arsenal’s most difficult clashes of the season, and it comes at a point when almost our entire squad is fit and healthy. Or, is it?

Will Thomas Partey and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang be ready to go at Anfield, or has Mikel Arteta put a pin in our bubble with his comments at today’s pre-match press conference…

“No it wasn’t pre-planned for Auba to fly home early. We have to assess him and see how he is and make a decision. We have a lot players who have been through some different games, issues, little injuries, so today we have to test everybody and see how we are to play tomorrow. Same again for Partey, he could not play for the national team, he really tried to do that because they had a massive game and he really pushed for that one, but he wasn’t close enough to do that. Again, it’s something we have to assess today.”

I think, Arteta won’t show his cards to Liverpool until one hour prior to game time on Saturday. I fully expect both Auba and Partey to be in his starting XI.

The Gunners have not won in a Premier League match at Anfield since 2012. Ironically, Mikel Arteta was in Arsene Wenger’s starting line-up that day, so it has been a long nine year drought to say the least.

The boss said this to reporters this morning, “I don’t know why we haven’t won there more, obviously the quality of the opponent has a big say. It’s not a coincidence that last year as well before we went to Old Trafford, it was I don’t know how many years before we won at Stamford Bridge the same, but first of all you have to believe that you go there and that you can beat them, that’s the first thing.”

So true, and I believe the Gunners have built up their level of confidence to a point where they believe they can play anywhere and win. Saturday will be a true test of that confidence,

Obviously, Jurgen Klopp has done a magnificent job at Liverpool, but this Saturday he will face Arsenal minus a few of his main players, including Jordan Henderson, Andy Robertson, James Milner, Bobby Firmino, and possibly Sadio Mane. However, Mo Salah, the league’s top goal scorer, will be on hand to give the Gunners back line a real challenge.

My hope is for Arsenal to come away with at least one point. A draw would show we have improved, and that we can compete with the league’s elite teams, especially on the road. A win, of course, would be more than spectacular, however, I’m just hoping for a solid performance full of spirit and determination.

Come on you Gunners!

Cheers.

Gunner1953

Mikel Arteta’s quotes courtesy of Arsenal.com