Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League
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Arsenal continue to go along nicely in the league this season as this weekend’s win over Everton made it seven wins from eight.
The Gunners know full well that they have to maintain their level. Despite Man City dropping their first points of the season, Enzo Maresca’s side are looking the real deal once again.
Of course, Arsenal’s next fixture in the league is against Liverpool. As always, this will be a giant occasion and historically, it’s one of the standout fixtures in England.
However, while many will look at Man City as Arsenal’s big rivals this season, that may not be entirely true given the circumstances. In fact, as the game with Liverpool at Anfield approaches, there’s an argument to be made that this is Arsenal’s key fixture.
Arsenal cannot let Liverpool win at Anfield
This season already has a strange aura around it. There is a feeling in the air that at some point, Manchester City are going to be docked a number of points, very much rendering their league title efforts irrelevant.
That means that while the door is wide open for Arsenal to make it two in a row, it also opens a door for another team to challenge. And right now, that team is Liverpool.
The Reds expertly saw off in-form Brighton this weekend and looked very much a team on the up under Andoni Iraola. A first league win of the campaign at Anfield is massive for them and ahead of Arsenal’s arrival next Sunday, Liverpool’s confidence will be high.
Furthermore, this fixture also has added weight. Should Liverpool win, they narrow the gap on Arsenal to just three points. That means the title race very much becomes wide open. A result the other way, though, gives the Gunners a nine point gap, a swing that would be hard for Liverpool to overcome.
With that in mind, it’s essential Arsenal do not lose this one.
As we’ve seen over history, a Liverpool team with confidence is a team that can do things. Especially with a raucous home crowd behind it.
Mikel Arteta now faces a stern test. Win, and the league title already looks like being a foregone conclusion.
Lose the game, and suddenly there’s a tense battle for supremacy emerging at this early stage of the season.