Mikel Arteta is anticipating a hot Anfield atmosphere tomorrow night – but won’t give his players any particular advice on keeping their cool.
Arsenal travel to Liverpool knowing a win will mean they spend Christmas on top of the Premier League table but they are likely to face a hostile home crowd wound up by Jurgen Klopp’s criticism of the noise levels during the midweek EFL Cup win over West Ham.
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Klopp has been widely criticised for the naivety of his remarks but it is still likely to galvanise the Liverpool fans against the Gunners.
Asked if he needed to remind his players to maintain their discipline, Arteta said: “It’s going to be a special night, it’s always great going to Anfield.
“The players know [what they have to do}, they have experienced it for many years. It’s the third or fourth time this group have been there. I don’t think it’s necessary to clarify and explain things to them now.
“It’s going to be a special atmosphere, two teams in a good moment, in a strong position. It’s going to be an intense match.”
Arsenal’s last visit to Liverpool in April ended in a 2-2 draw after the visitors led 2-0, a result that sparked a run of poor performances that ultimately cost them the title as Manchester City put on the after burners.
“There are certain things we didn’t manage very well on that occasion,” added Arteta, “the way we allowed them to run especially. If you give them that momentum and space, they are a really good team.
“We had some big situations that could have killed the game but we didn’t take them. When you have an opposition that good, you have to take them.”
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Arsenal this morning joined Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea in dismissing talk of a renewed bid to join a potential European Super League, stating their satisfaction with the current structure within UEFA.
The original plans in 2021 provoked a ferocious backlash from supporters and Arteta says their opinion, and that of the players, must be key to all decision making.
“Football supporters and the passion they bring to the game is the main reason why this game belongs to them,” he said. “And the players, because they are the protagonists, and what makes this game so enjoyable.
“We have to look after them and their opinion is very important.
“We are so privileged to have the league we have, to have the competition we have, to have the uncertainty we have every single game. This league is beautiful.”
