Mikel Arteta - Arsenal
Arsenal travel to Anfield on Sunday with the results to justify some optimism. The reigning champions have won seven of their eight Premier League games this season and sit second on 21 points, level with Manchester City.
Their defence is the foundation. Arsenal have conceded five league goals, the fewest in the division, and have kept five clean sheets, level with Brighton at the top. They kept a clean sheet in each of their three away league wins.
The team has also responded well to its only league defeat, a 3-0 loss at Brighton in September. Arsenal have won their last three league games since then and have won all four of their home matches.
Last season’s visit to Merseyside showed how narrow the margins can be. Dominik Szoboszlai struck an 83rd-minute free-kick from about 30 yards on 31 August 2025 to give Liverpool a 1-0 win.
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It was Arsenal’s first defeat and first goal conceded of that campaign. The sides’ other meeting last season, at the Emirates, finished 0-0.
Mikel Arteta now expects a different outcome.
Speaking to Sky Sports before the game, the Arsenal manager said he is “fully convinced” his team will go to Anfield on Sunday and win.
“I’m fully convinced we are going to go there on Sunday and win the game.”
Arteta also praised the opposition. He cited the quality of Liverpool’s squad, their manager and their history, and said they have every ingredient to challenge for any trophy.
“They have every ingredient to be up there challenging for any trophy. Look at the quality of the squad, the manager, the history that they have. There is no question for me on that.”
“I’m fully convinced we are going to go there and beat them” 🔴
Arsenal will be looking to get their first win at Anfield since 2012, when Mikel Arteta was playing for the side 🕰️ https://t.co/2u179Xs1ah
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 31, 2026
He is aware of Arsenal’s record at the ground. The club’s last league win at Anfield came on 2 September 2012, a 2-0 victory through Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla in which Arteta played.
Arsenal have since gone 13 league visits without a win there, drawing five and losing eight.
Arteta called the occasion an opportunity. He said that when he arrived, Arsenal had gone 18, 20 and even 22 years without winning at several grounds, and that the club has since ended such runs.
“It’s 14 years that we haven’t won there, so it’s time to do it,” he added.
Liverpool are in good form under Andoni Iraola, who replaced Arne Slot in June and grew up playing alongside Arteta in San Sebastian. They are fourth on 15 points and have won their last five games in all competitions. Their only league defeat was a 3-0 loss to Manchester City at Anfield on 11 October.
A Liverpool win would cut the gap to Arsenal to three points.
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Arsenal have selection problems. Bukayo Saka is out with a quadriceps injury suffered in the 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich, and William Saliba is also sidelined.
Max Dowman is serving a three-match ban after his red card in the EFL Cup defeat at Fleetwood Town, which Arsenal lost on penalties after a 1-1 draw. The Football Association rejected the club’s appeal against the sending-off.
Mikel Arteta confirmed there is some good news. Riccardo Calafiori, Declan Rice and Christos Tzolis all trained on Friday and will be available if Saturday’s session goes well.
Noni Madueke is a doubt with an ankle problem, and Arsenal will make a final decision after Saturday’s training.
Liverpool also have fitness questions. Szoboszlai, who scored the winner in this fixture last season, and Victor Munoz both “have a chance” of playing, according to Iraola. Jeremie Frimpong is among the players ruled out.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry
Folarin Balogun
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