How important is the next match?

By now we have licked our wounds and moved on to fight another day. Right?

In a very odd course of events, Arsenal will again travel to Liverpool to face the Reds on Thursday in the next round of the Carabao Cup.

But, how important is the next match?

The Gunners have beaten the defending Premier League champions twice in the last three meetings. Monday’s loss was tough, however, it also proved Mikel Arteta and his lads are beginning to close the gap with the Premier League’s elite, BUT, there is still a long way to go.

On Thursday, we will see entirely different line-ups on both sides of the pitch, however, this will be a game both clubs would like to win. Even though the Carabao Cup is not the top football prize in England, it is still silverware, and every club loves silverware. Just ask our north London neighbors down the road at Hotspur. Sorry, I couldn’t resist the dig.

Any way, for Arsenal, the game will provide an opportunity to get the ship back on course, to help recover from yesterday’s defeat, and to regain momentum going into a very demanding October fixture list.

Here’s Arsenal’s October schedule…
Sheffield United (H), Manchester City (A), Leicester City (H), Manchester United (A), plus two Europa League group stages matches.
And, don’t forget the international break, too. That’s even more game for some of our players.

In my opinion, a win at Anfield on Thursday isn’t necessary, but a good performance is absolutely required.

Arteta has proven to Gooner Nation he has this squad headed down the right path. Another major signing or two this coming week will surely help, however, no matter the outcome during the final days of the transfer window, the boss has this club believing in themselves, and working as a team, not as a group of individuals.

Yes, we have some issues to over come to get us back to join the “big boys” of Europe, but one thing is for sure, this current group of Arsenal players are playing with belief.

I don’t think you’ll ever see anyone on Arteta’s team giving up or lying down until the final whistle has been blown.

So, Thursday’s trip to Liverpool is not just another game, it’s the next game in the Arteta rebuilding process. And, that’s important.

Let’s go back to Anfield, and bring one home!

COYG!

Cheers, and stay healthy an safe!

Gunner1953