Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has praised Arsenal’s quality and defensive organisation ahead of Sunday’s Premier League showdown at Anfield, admitting that his side must be at their best to overcome the reigning champions.
The Reds enter the encounter on a five-match winning streak, although Iraola believes his players still have considerable room for improvement.
Speaking during Friday’s pre-match press conference, the Spaniard acknowledged the challenge posed by Arsenal, who currently lead Liverpool by five points in the standings.
“We know Arsenal, we know how good they are, very good players, working a lot, working in synchrony, knowing each other very well,” Iraola said.
The Liverpool manager also recognised Arsenal’s status as defending champions and their impressive start to the campaign.
“They are the actual champions and they are top of the league right now, they’ve only lost one game this season,” he added.
Iraola has enjoyed considerable success against Arsenal in recent meetings, winning three of his last four encounters while managing Bournemouth.
However, he dismissed suggestions that those results would provide a straightforward blueprint for Sunday’s fixture.
The 44-year-old explained that Liverpool’s different personnel would require a different approach, emphasising the importance of physical duels, aerial contests and set-pieces.
Iraola also addressed his relationship with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, whom he has known since childhood.
The Liverpool boss joked about facing another familiar figure in the opposition dugout after recent encounters with Inigo Perez and Xabi Alonso.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that their friendship would offer little advantage once the match begins.
“I know that he will give us a very difficult game so we will have to be at our very best,” Iraola admitted.
Despite Liverpool’s recent improvement, the Spaniard refused to describe his side as Arsenal’s biggest challengers for the Premier League title.
He believes October is too early to draw conclusions about the championship race, particularly with Liverpool still working towards greater consistency.
Iraola also highlighted the importance of Anfield’s atmosphere, describing the support generated during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory over Chelsea as particularly encouraging.
Arsenal, meanwhile, travel to Merseyside looking to respond to their shock penalty-shootout elimination against Fleetwood Town earlier this week.
The Gunners have not won a Premier League match at Anfield since September 2012, making Sunday’s encounter another significant examination of their title credentials.
However, Iraola is taking little encouragement from that historical record, instead focusing on the challenge of overcoming a well-organised Arsenal side.
With both teams targeting three points, the Liverpool manager expects a demanding contest against opponents he considers among the strongest in the division.