Unai Emery will have to overcome shocking statistic if former Arsenal manager is to help Mikel Arteta land Premier League dream

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Arsenal can only continue to pick up wins and hope that Liverpool will slip up in the race for the Premier League title.

Mikel Merino’s brace moved Arsenal to within four points of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League before Arne Slot’s side narrowly beat Wolves to restore their lead to seven.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	25	18	6	1	60	24	36	60
2	ArsenalArsenal	25	15	8	2	51	22	29	53

Arsene Wenger doubts Arsenal can win the league given the impressive form of the Reds with only one defeat in 25 league games this season.

However, Slot’s side face a tricky test away to Aston Villa where Arsenal will be hoping former manager Unai Emery and transfer target Ollie Watkins can do them a favour. Unfortunately, Emery will have to overcome a disappointing record against the Anfield club.

READ MORE: Why Mikel Arteta should look to summer signing to fill Arsenal’s attacking void – and it’s not Mikel Merino

Unai Emery has won just one game against Liverpool in his managerial career

Emery has earned a reputation throughout Europe as a great tactician that can beat any given side on his day. He has frustrated Gunners fans since leaving the club, Emery has never lost at the Emirates Stadium since his departure in 2019.

All eyes from an Arsenal perspective is whether he can now get a result against Liverpool and aid Mikel Arteta’s title aspirations.

However, Emery has won just once in twelve encounters against Liverpool – the lowest win ratio against any of the Premier League’s ‘Top Six’ sides.

That record also includes eight defeats against The Reds and only managing 0.5 points per game. Not what Arsenal wanted to hear ahead of the crunch clash at Villa Park.

Arsenal handed boost with Cody Gakpo set to miss the Villa game

Arsenal are still without many of their attacking options heading into the crunch period of the season but Bukayo Saka is expected back in middle of March.

Liverpool have enjoyed a relatively injury-free season to their key mean however, Cody Gakpo will miss the match against Aston Villa with a knock.

Gakpo has scored 16 goals in all competitions this season and a consistent performer for Slot’s side, Arsenal will now be hoping that his absence is felt at Villa Park.

The two sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw during the fixture last season and there should be plenty of goalmouth action, in which the Gunners will be hoping Liverpool come out on the wrong side of.