Arne Slot sends clear Arsenal message before Anfield clash | OneFootball

Arne Slot made no attempt to downplay the significance of Sunday’s clash at Anfield, even with the Premier League title already secured by Liverpool.

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“We want to win every game of football. We were disappointed losing to Chelsea and that is nothing different for Arsenal,” Slot said.

“These two clubs have the highest possible standards of what you can ask for, both are very good teams. Yes, we both want to win but it is a bit different to when the league might not have been finished and we hadn’t won the league title yet. But yes, we definitely want to win the game but I don’t think that is any different to Arsenal.

“Difficult to predict but both teams look forward to this game. Okay, maybe there is a bit at stake for Arsenal, top four, assume they prefer second to third or fourth, we can only finish first. Difficult to predict if it will be edgy: 22 players on the pitch of real high quality, players off the bench with the same quality.”

Conor Bradley will be in the starting XI. Slot explained the decision by saying, “A lot of influences on decisions I make and one of them is losing, so I am not looking to lose all four but there are more things into a line-up than losing or rotating, so we will see. Conor will start, he needs playing time, games under his belt to be prepared for next season.”

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Slot also addressed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure. “Like everybody who likes Liverpool and who is a fan of Liverpool, we are disappointed for him leaving because, not only a good human being is leaving the club, but a very, very good full-back is leaving us as well. I have also worked at clubs like AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord where every season a very good, or multiple very good players, have left the club. So I am a bit more used to it and the experience I have had, and at this club as well, if a very good player is leaving, the next very good player will step up. That is probably what is going to happen now as well.”

Despite losing 3-1 to Chelsea last weekend, Liverpool remain unbeaten in their last 14 home matches against Arsenal in all competitions. Arsenal, however, are undefeated in their last five Premier League meetings with Liverpool. This is their longest run without defeat against the Reds since an eight-game streak between October 2007 and April 2011.

This will be the third time Arsenal have faced the league champions after the title has been clinched. They drew 1-1 with Manchester United in 2012–13 and beat Liverpool 2-1 in 2019–20.

While not required by Premier League rules, Arsenal will give Liverpool a guard of honour at Anfield. The gesture, seen by the club as a mark of respect, follows Chelsea’s lead the previous week. Arsenal believe it is an important tradition and have no intention of breaking it.

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There are obvious contrasts. Rangers refused to give Celtic the same honour ahead of their draw last weekend. But the rivalry between Rangers and Celtic bears little comparison to the relationship between Arsenal and Liverpool. Arsenal would likely expect the same treatment should they win the league in the future. Whether Tottenham Hotspur would do so is another matter entirely.

Arsenal will travel to Anfield still processing their midweek Champions League exit against Paris Saint-Germain, where Mikel Arteta’s side were eliminated at the Parc des Princes knowing they need three points to secure Champions League football for next season and six from nine to guarantee second place, other results depending.