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Arteta’s final boss, bar major trophies, is getting a scalp at Anfield. He’s come close, he’s been unlucky, but if we’re to make it this season… these are the sort of iconic venues you need to go to and do something magical. Not because winning is essential to our success this season (because it’s not), but because it’s essential to the belief this new squad of players probably doesn’t have yet.
Careers are launched and legends are born in games like this. Someone steps up to be a hero. Last season, we didn’t have enough final-action types who could do that. This season, we’ve purchased a lot of players who have told Arteta that is their special sauce… and given that special look Arteta keeps on talking about.
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I don’t know how we’re going to line up in this game.
Will we let Martinelli out the dog box so he can mark Salah and show that he still has a future on a left side that is deeply clogged?
Will Madueke make a statement to all the losers who signed a petition to have his purchase annulled at the Karen Final Contracts office at Premier League HQ?
Eze, our BIG signing this summer, is a BIG game player. WOULD ARTETA DARE?
What about those teenagers we have in the mixer? Ethan? Max Dowman? Do they want to show where the real talent is born and raised (Hale-End, in case you were struggling at this time of morning)?
We’re without Kai and Saka, but for the first time in a long time, I feel very at ease about that. It’s not ideal, but this season, we have depth in abundance… and depth with BIG points to prove.
No doubt in my mind Kai Havertz would be starting this game today if it weren’t for the minor surgery. Not now, it has to be Gyokeres, and the Swede has some points to chalk off.
Can he show he has the ability to contribute in big games, some say that’s not him?
Can he be a menace when he’s up against BIG defenders who match him for power?
Will he have had sit-downs with those behind him this week to explain that he’s the big lad and he needs feeding on the regular to BANG?
These are questions I don’t have answers to… all I can tell you is I feel something in my bones right now and it’s not tremors from a very bad hangover. It’s HOPIUM kicking into my veins (should have kept the thread of bones) in a way that feels so potent, I might be about to take to Holloway Rd at 4am, Lil-Nas-X-style in red boxers, diamonte cowboy boots, and a very tight Arsenal shirt from my pre-Dad days, mumbling NORTH LONDON FOREVER.
The Liverpool pregame narrative is nothing short of humiliating. The team that won the league at a canter, then went on to spend £430m on 7 players, has its paid pundits telling anyone who will listen that they aren’t very good and Arsenal are the total best.
Jamie Carragher is suggesting that their near half-a-billion spend means they are probably in TRANSITION. Mo Salah is so impressed by the new signings of Liverpool, even he reckons Arsenal are number one. Is this… faux humble? Or, is some of this underpinned by a bit of fear around what they’ve seen of their team so far this season… I think it’s fear. Because this sort of bitch talk isn’t good for teams. It doesn’t take pressure off, it gives people excuses, and it undermines.
But maybe they have the right to be worried. Kerkez has been dreadful so far this season, Newcastle and Bournemouth molested him. They have actual injuries (can you believe it?) and they’ll have to play a midfielder at right back tomorrow. Konate has been all over the place, VVD is there to be got at. Their midfield just isn’t doing it for me at the moment.
But the one thing they have? PGMOL, on hand, at all times. No team is more blessed here. David Coote called Klopp a c*nt at an afters, and ever since, they get all the injury time they need, all the VAR rub, and the treatment of a team that has special privileges. So we have to watch out tomorrow. Don’t play the dark arts, don’t get lured into traps, and be VERY careful of those new rules because we will be reffed within an inch of our lives tomorrow and Liverpool won’t.
But… here’s my take. Arsenal are better. Yeah, don’t care what the table said last year. Pound for pound, we are better. Give Arteta a squad like the one we have now and watch him show everyone. I am expecting us to win the league this season. I want a point or more today. I would prefer to set the pace than chase the pack. This is our chance to put some wrongs RIGHT from last season.
Tactically, it’s quite simple:
Savage their fullbacks who don’t like it up them physically or from a speed perspective.
Run the centre backs hard all game
Liverpool are not having fun from set pieces, so ping balls over the keeper, and cause as much chaos in the box as possible.
DO NOT LET THEM COUNTER IN TRANSITION BECAUSE OF DUMB PASSES.
Liverpool’s main strength this season is great finishers who get up the pitch really fast and devastate. Ekitike is VERY fast. Mo Salah is DEADLY in the box. Florian Wirtz is electric on his day with his tight control, ability to drift into the box, and pick out a final action.
Patience is key in games like these. Ride out the first 20 minutes, don’t invite the fans to the game, and be DEADLY when we get chances… because we will get them tomorrow.
Something feels magical today… I might just be tired. But, I could be feeling supernatural forces whispering in my ear ‘you’re gonna win 4-0.’
We’ll see.
That’s all I have. On The Whistle is right after the game. Members get it LIVE and 48 hours early. Sign up to the deal below and make sure you join the discord. xxx