Arsenal seek Liverpool revenge mission as Mikel Arteta eyes title statement after Man City slip up | OneFootball

Gunners can move eight points clear and take big step towards title

Dominik Szoboszlai's late free-kick gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over Arsenal at Anfield in August

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“Nothing had changed” for Arsenal, according to Jamie Carragher, while Peter Schmeichel declared the Gunners played an “ugly brand of football”.

That result moved Liverpool three points clear of Arsenal. In the 17 matches since, there has been a 17-point swing between the two sides.

It is now Arsenal at the top of the Premier League and, after a third straight draw for Manchester City on Wednesday, they have the chance to move eight points clear.

Even with it now being more than four months on, Wednesday's pre-match press conference made it clear that the reaction to Arsenal's defeat at Anfield frustrated Arteta.

“I mean people are entitled to their opinions, mine was different, but that's the beauty about football,” he said.

Pressed on what his reaction to the game was, Arteta responded: “Very different.”

Later in the press conference the Arsenal boss did expand on that and referenced debates over whether he should have picked a more attacking line-up.

William Saliba and Gabriel have their eyes on another big win in the title race

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“The people can have different opinions and understand why we decide certain things or pick certain players as well,” Arteta said.

“But we know. We know their physical state, probably more, because nobody asked me. Is the other players available to start? Nobody asked. People assume that.

"We have all the information. You guys don't and it's normal and we don't want to provide that either. So normally with the information that you have, you have to make the judgement that in your opinion was the best case to win the game. That has to be accepted.”

This time, Arteta and Arsenal must ensure nobody is left in any doubt over their title credentials come the end of the night.

Injuries have eased and this is a remarkable strong Arsenal squad, particularly in attack. Eberechi Eze has not even got on the pitch in the last four matches.

The Gunners have picked up maximum points from a tricky set of festive fixtures and now host a stumbling, unconvincing Liverpool side.

Arsenal showed only a couple of weeks ago what they can do when revenge is on the mind.

Having been beaten at Villa Park in tough circumstances when Emi Buendia struck deep into stoppage-time, Arsenal ran riot on home soil in a 4-1 win over Aston Villa.

That was one of their very best performances this season and you can imagine Arteta will similarly be using the fuel of the Anfield pain and the reaction to that as motivation tonight.

A six-point lead at the top was the largest Arsenal have ever had after 20 matches in the Premier League. Now is the time to put Liverpool to the sword, extend that to eight and further stamp their authority on this title race.