Arsenal haven’t lost to one of the so-called ‘Big Six’ in the league for more than 22 games – a run dating back to April 2023 – and it’s a record Mikel Arteta can be proud of given the hidings the Gunners often endured in such fixtures before his arrival.
Of course, the definition of the ‘Big Six’ is up for debate these days – especially when Manchester United and Sp\*rs finished 15th and 17th last season – but nobody questions Liverpool’s credentials.
Few predicted Arne Slot would make such an immediate impact in the wake of Jurgen Klopp’s departure, yet the Dutchman not only closed the gap on Manchester City and Arsenal, he breezed past both to deliver Liverpool’s record-equalling 20th top-flight title.
The champions haven’t stood still either. With Trent Alexander-Arnold departing for Real Madrid and the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, they’ve rebuilt aggressively, investing in Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. By Monday night, they may even have smashed the English transfer record to land Alexander Isak from Newcastle.
With a couple of early wins under their belt – including a last-gasp triumph at St James’ Park – Liverpool remain favourites to retain their crown. For Arsenal, an early trip to Anfield was never going to be ideal, and with as many as seven players potentially sidelined, Arteta’s newfound squad depth will be tested immediately.
Having been blown away by Liverpool last season (albeit not in the head-to-heads) the Spaniard is determined his side lay down a marker this time.
“It is what it is, we have to play them,” said Arteta of the timing of the clash, the first meeting between the previous season’s top two this early in a campaign for eight years.
“They are the champions. They are champions for a reason, because they deserve to be champions.
“They were the better team last year, the most consistent one, the one that found ways to win in many different ways and we want to be that team this year. We need to go to Anfield with that spirit and that conviction.”
Asked if the game could already be season-defining – a stretch, given it’s still August – he added: “A very important one and we want to continue building the momentum that we are in right now.
“Going to those grounds, those stadiums, against this kind of opposition is what we want and coming away from those big games, winning in a really convincing way. That’s the objective.”
Arsenal haven’t won a league match at Anfield since September 2012, when goals from Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla sealed a 2-0 win with Arteta himself in the starting XI.
Thirteen years on, he knows what needs to change: “Be better than we’ve been in those games, more efficient and do what we’ve done with many other stats that we had, for even longer. Just go there and be convinced that we can go to Anfield and win.”
Much has been made of Arsenal’s tweaks in attack this summer. The arrivals of Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres reflect a desire to diversify chance creation and balance a frontline that has long leaned heavily on Bukayo Saka’s right-hand side.
Liverpool, meanwhile, still rely on Mo Salah’s brilliance, but the additions of Wirtz and the in-form Ekitike – three goals in three games – have given their forward line fresh impetus. Arteta admits he’s been studying Slot’s changes closely.
“I think the individual characteristics at the end are what changes more and evolves a team.
“It’s clear that a certain player receiving the ball in certain areas with different qualities, the outcome is going to be different.
“They made a lot of signings, really good signings. They keep evolving the squad like we’ve done as well. So, a big match ahead.”
As for the favourites tag, he was blunt: “The favourite is always the one that won the previous year and that’s it.
“Somebody has to come and take that crown away from them and that’s what I suppose the rest of us are going to try to do.
“We’ve already started with the first two games in the Premier League and that’s the aim, to be better than them.”
With two wins from two, Arsenal travel to Anfield with confidence but also the knowledge that their recent record there is poor.
For Arteta, the task is simple: prove his evolving side can compete with the champions on their own turf and keep the early momentum rolling in a season where fine margins will again decide everything.