Arsenal face Liverpool today in what is arguably their biggest game of the season so far, and it is one which they cannot afford to lose.
Beating Jurgen Klopp’s side, for the final time before he departs Liverpool in the summer, will be no easy feat, but losses against West Ham and Fulham in December have meant that Mikel Arteta’s side have fallen behind in the title race.
Victories against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest came at the right time as Arsenal ended their crisis, but today is still a massive test of the Gunners’ quality and mentality.
Journalist and Arsenal expert Amy Lawrence has now highlighted just how key a positive result against Liverpool would be.
Arsenal facing huge pressure in Liverpool clash
Speaking on The Daily Football Briefing podcast, Lawrence explained why the game holds significant meaning in the title race beyond the three points on offer.
“This game is of monumental significance to Arsenal, because it feels in a way like the very last throw of the dice for if they want to be involved in the very serious conversations around this season, at the top of the table,” she explained.
“It felt like just before the winter break, Arsenal had a period which put the kibosh on their title ambitions. It was hard to see that they could sustain what was necessary to keep pace, with Liverpool purring into gear and knowing what Man City are very capable of doing, and who was coming back.
“I think recovering from that sort of downer was important, but since then they got results, but without necessarily looking like a wounded animal that’s roaring back into life, so there’s still a bit more that needs to come from them I think.
“Liverpool are seldom an easy nut to crack for Arsenal in the Jurgen Klopp era, so I think if they could get somehow a win, it changes the mindset. It allows Arsenal to think they can really push on again.
“If that doesn’t happen, it’s probably going to be hard to say that they can keep track and improve enough to lay proper gloves on Liverpool and Man City in the months ahead.”
Arsenal victory over Liverpool would be a statement
Many have doubted Arsenal’s title credentials this season, and perhaps rightly so given some of the struggles Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli have faced in front of goal.
However, beating Liverpool, who have lost just once all season, to go within two points of the top, would be huge for Arsenal, not just in terms of points, but in terms of cementing themselves as a team that should be considered true contenders alongside Man City and their opponents on Sunday.
A loss would be a fatal blow for their title ambitions and may send a message that despite obvious improvement under Mikel Arteta, they may still not be ready to go toe to toe with Klopp and Pep Guardiola’s teams just yet.
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