An away day at Liverpool is always huge. More so over the past half-decade. Liverpool is an institution, Anfield is a legendary stadium, and Klopp is a top 3 manager in the world.
The stage is set.
Mikel Arteta usually underplays our chances, but the talk was a little different in his press conference.
He’s talking about confidence in the camp, he’s pumping his players, and he’s making no excuses about the expectations that are being put on Arsenal.
We are going to Anfield to win because that’s what Arsenal Football Club is all about.
This game isn’t a litmus test, people need to move away from that sort of chat… it’s a chance to land a blow on a club that has standards we want to reach.
Since boxing day, we’ve accrued more points than Liverpool. What does that tell you? That they are beatable. Klopp’s side has lost a bit of that invincibility force-field this season. They aren’t quite hitting the heights as consistently as they were a couple of seasons ago. There are vulnerabilities in their system.
The main difference? Huge experience and a 5th gear that we don’t have yet. Both teams at 100% and we’re on the back foot.
So what do we need to see?
A smart game plan executed with maximum focus
Our problem against Chelsea and City was that we conceded inside 15 minutes both times. We can’t afford to do that against a Liverpool side we know will come flying out the traps.
I’d love a fast start, but it’s questionable whether that’s the right approach against Liverpool. A game right after the break might take some time to feel our way into. It might be sharp to just be in the match after 20 minutes and work our way into the game by growing with time.
There needs to be a plan for Mo Salah, the best player in the world right now. We need to have ideas for Liverpool’s wide players. We should be set up to counter-attack at speed, because Liverpool have been leaving openings. We have to play a high line and confidently play around their brutal press when it comes.
Arteta said the weakness in the side was that as a team, we don’t have enough collective experience yet. Let’s be clear, this new group of players hasn’t felt pain together yet. We are unbeaten since our new defence was formed. There’s no record of how we’ll react to a battering from Liverpool. That makes this game interesting for a whole host of reasons.
This is a big moment for the project. Lose, well, we expected it and we’ll have to hope the team can bounce back quickly. Come away with a point or more and we’ll really start to believe something might be brewing early.
I’m very excited. I feel confident we can compete. This is a test we could pass, I haven’t felt that way about a Liverpool game in a while. So let’s see where it goes.
See you in the comments. Join for an OTW podcast right after the game!
ACAST | SPOTIFY | GOOGLE | CASTBOX
Looks like they are gonna mark Saka extra tight… with 2 or 3 men… when they can.. Get it to him and a quick switch of fields and I think we will score.
TP not looking so mobile… rust
Saka’s been off his best a while now.
Reg Ox, Liverpool have lot of injuries in the midfield. Ox was only option available.
S Asoa
👍
Win or lose but now our players seem to know their role and position well.
Good interception by White. Boy is very quick on his feet
Tavares has been good so far.
Laca and Auba are too slow now a liability
We look like we are afraid to play.
Yep TR7… thats why I dont want to change anything.. at least for now. . If we get outplayed then so be it.. But we dont make it easy and we get chances. All I can ask. Do need to get ESR on the ball more though.
Great goalkeeping by Ramsdale!
Ooof that was close!!!
how is it that their fullbacks are so open. TAA unmarked totally
If we continue playing likethis we will concede…
We’re managing the game well so far, but it’s painfully obvious in games like these that we need a striker that can hold the ball up. Priority for January.
Ugh… damn that was offside. Like attacking down the left more though.
Ohh fuck.
For a second I really thought we had scored.
Come on The Arsenal!!!
We need to get ESR in the game.
Well played to Arteta so far.
People forget who we are playing ffs.
What the hell going on both Managers kicking off lol
We are playing ok
Look at mike!
Hahaha thats it Teta… Fuck off Klopp!
Scrap on sidelines. Arteta getting his colors
Arteta showing some pashun.
Only Partey seems to be invisible, don’t know if it’s tactical
🔥 in Tets Belle….I love it!
Auba has to stay onside there.
Arteta showing heart, good to see!!
Klopp shit himself hiding behind the official
That’s how to do it Arteta
Our midfield is missing
Wow!!
I really like how Arteta is defending the Arsenal!!
COME ON ARTETA!!!!!
Klopp being a cunt, as usual
I am now happy to say I’m arteta in after seeing that. 🤣🤣🤣 Come on Mikel, kick the German cunt in
Go on Arteta my son
You know your game plan is on point when even the manager is shithousing.
I love Nuno Tavarez, room to improve his decision making at times but he’s the one I love the most of our new signings
I enjoy watching Mikel be so feisty. Enough with the robotic shit. Show passion. Great to see him standing tall versus Klopp.
Loved that from Arteta, moaning Klopp can fuck off
Teta was right… that tackle by Mane was shit.. and it wasnt his first..
Whoaaaa what a save by Ramsdale!!!
Not sure why arteta got so worked up over a regular foul that the ref had given.
No bindipper love for Arteta……..
What defending!!!!!
Ramsdale is just a brick wall!!!!
He makes sure that nothing will go through.
we need shots
0 so far
Ramsdale reaction are sublime
Last 10 mins they’ve opened us like a can of sweet corn.
Mr White that’s a couple of slips now, please pick it up.
Ramsdale On point
New forwards are needed.
Auba is a non event
What a save again by Ramsdale.
What dirty play by Salah on Ramsdale just before.
Not sure why arteta got so worked up over a regular foul that the ref had given.
Klopp started running his mouth thats why.
West Ham used Antonio to push Pool back, we need someone to run at Pool like Antonio.
Ramsdale is standing on his head!
Midwest,
Yeah, Mane should have been carded by now.
Come on boys.. Donlt lose your cool. Stay in it.
Come on Mikel, nut him on the way back to the dressing room. Ramsdale for PM
If Liverpool are going to beat us they can dam work for it.
This has been coming…
3 steps later mane goes down. And gets the free kick.
It was coming
That was coming, despite Ramsdale’s heroics
Ugh… that high line on the set piece killed us. that time.
I like the physicality of this game. I am glad TT and Gabriel are quite strong.
If you dont have the balls to play then dont show up!!
Crap! Well that was coming for a while.
We can still get back at them.
Partey needs to get into the game.
Ramsdale should have saved that
Fuck. Arteta should take Saka off and put Martinelli on for second half.
Fuck…
Great header by pool of piss.
Poor defending
We will not loose this game
Damn, been a tough last ten minutes
Damn
It’s a friendly , doesn’t count 😁
Can’t let the heads drop and concede again before half time. If Pool are going to win let them work hard.
Ngl thought ramsdale had it
One down, but must say Arsenal players are far ahead of ” shit rating ” given by so many. No way Salah or Mane can dribble around our players. With a good coach we can go far
It’s how we come back from the goal that matters. Pool had 84% for about 14 minutes before the goal.
That all came from an extremely soft free kick. Mane goes down if you anywhere near him. You can’t battle with him.
Laca get him off he’s done
Mane is a dirty fucker
Lacazzete should focus more on playing football than going down or drawing a foul.
Thats Mane’s third or 4th questionable tackle. About time he got a card. Anyhow. Need more attacks down the left.
the fuck is Mane still doing on the field?
Fucking red card all day long. Kicked him off the pitch
Glad Mane got a yellow.
That tackle outside the pitch was disgusting.
Partey is letting our midfield down. Not seeing him at all.
Next 45 needs to be. Better from us.
Auba is doing nothing
Too slow and timing terrible
Should this have actually been a red??? (Asking)
Mane is a cheat and has always got away with it.
We are poor up front
ESR not tuned today.
Good response do far from the boys, not letting the heads drop
Minimum of 1 minute injury time. So he plays 55 seconds just because arsenal were on an attack.
Gabi and Ode need to be brought in.
Mane is a dirty little cunt.
we need a spark in the middle.
No standouts in the first half…
I dare say? Ode on?
We need something
Orgivi might come in place of Mane., who is having a poor game irrespective of the goal
I thought we battled pretty well actually.. They got a set piece goal. It happens.. We can still get something out of this. Bring in some fresh legs if we can keep it close.