Anxiety and anger in stands as chance of defining title moment eludes Arsenal

The current league leaders take on the defending champions in north London as Arsenal host Liverpool at the Emirates. The reverse fixture was won by a stunning free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai at Anfield back in August. Both fixtures last season ended in a 2-2 draw.

It has been a great few days for Arsenal; they won 3-2 at Bournemouth on Saturday and since then Manchester City have dropped points in back-to-back games having drawn consecutive games. Manchester City’s draw against Brighton last night combined with a draw for Aston Villa mean that Arsenal have the chance to go eight points clear at the top of the table with a win tonight. Speaking ahead of the game, Mikel Arteta knows his side will have to be at their best to beat the defending champions.

“We are top of the table, we play at home against a really good opponent and we want to maintain our position,” Arteta said. “In order to do that, we are going to have to be excellent throughout the game to deserve to win the game and that is the point we have to prove. Every week we have a point to prove. We had it a few days ago against Bournemouth after a great win against Villa and it is going to continue like that until May. We know that because, once we are in the position we are in, we want to maintain that and extend the lead we have. In order to do that, our level of determination and desire has to be without mindset.”

Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera remain out for the hosts.

Liverpool threw away the chance of all three points on Sunday in a dramatic game at Fulham. Despite being a goal down, Liverpool fought their way back to take the lead four minutes into stoppage time, only to concede an equalising goal with one of the last kicks of the game because of Harrison Reed’s stunning goal. That makes it back-to-back draws for the defending champions and Arne Slot has responded to criticism of their style of play.

“Against Fulham I do not think people thought it was a joy to watch,” Slot said. “Against PSG, it was for me. People tell me we need the extra pass, the second goal against Fulham was 17 passes we needed before we scored. I find it hard to hear, but it is not that I completely disagree with them, I would use different words and take certain things into account.

“I want to win as many trophies as I can, but I think I am also known for the fact my teams always try and play attacking football. I can only say we are still trying to do so, but we are struggling to create a lot of chances. We are not the only team that struggles. I do not think the chances we are creating is that different from than other teams who are doing well.

“But I do not like to hear [we are boring] because I want to play an attractive style of football. We have to find a way to play it against teams who do not want to and that is something we have not found enough. We are working on this every day. If there is one thing that I would like, it would be us winning a lot of games and us playing attractive football.”

Hugo Ekitike, who missed the draw at Fulham, remains a doubt, whilst Alexander Isak, Giovanni Leoni (both injured) and Mohamed Salah (Afcon) remain unavailable.

Team news to follow shortly.