Mikel Arteta might have been sussed out ahead of Arsenal’s crucial clash with Liverpool.
All eyes are on the Emirates as the Gunners prepare to welcome Liverpool to North London.
It’s poised to be a possibly decisive fixture in the title race, despite the match taking place on only match day nine of the campaign.
Anything but a win would see Arsenal fall away from the current top two of Manchester City and Liverpool, emphasising the importance of Arteta getting it right on the day.
Arsenal team news vs Liverpool
Arsenal will be confident of beating Arne Slot’s side however, will be aware that victory won’t be easy as Liverpool are in record-breaking form at present.
Added to the matter of the visitors’ form, the Gunners are expected to be without several key players, with William Saliba missing out due to suspension.
Arsenal’s record without Saliba will concern Arteta ahead of kick off although, the centre-back doesn’t represent the only key absence.
Captain Martin Odegaard is still recovering from injury, while Riccardo Calafiori will miss the Liverpool clash due to the blow to his knee he suffered against Shakhtar Donetsk.
There remains doubt over the availability of both Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber, with both spotted with the squad in the team hotel prior to the game.
Saka has not been seen in training photos over the past few days, and Arteta has been quiet about the winger’s fitness but, there’s a growing sense that the boss has a surprise up his sleeve.
What Premier League coaches think of Mikel Arteta
It wouldn’t be the first time that Arteta has aimed to be unforthcoming with his team selection, with the Arsenal manager keen to keep his cards close to his chest.
The Spaniard enjoys keeping the availability of his squad and in turn, his tactics, hidden ahead of a big match, but what do Premier League managers think of Arteta’s pre-match actions?
Journalist Sami Mokbel shed some light on the matter in a column for the Daily Mail, where an insight into Premier League clubs was shared.
Mail Sport understands that coaching staff at some clubs ‘no longer pay any attention’ to Arteta’s team updates, claiming that they have ‘cottoned onto his tricky methods’.
While the Arsenal boss aims to be mysterious pre-match, the opposition aren’t seeming to take as much notice as they might have before, with his trickery found out to some degree.
It will be interesting to suss out how Slot prepares his side for the clash at the Emirates with all the noise coming from Arteta’s squad, in what is set to be a match full of surprises in North London.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
