Arsenal take on Liverpool in a huge Premier League clash at Anfield on Sunday evening.
The two teams are expected to compete with each other for the title, and thus, the outcome of this game will play a significant role in determining who ultimately comes out on top this season.
Mikel Arteta’s team beat Leeds 5-0 in their last outing, meaning they head to Merseyside with maximum points from their first two games.
Meanwhile, Liverpool dramatically beat Newcastle in stoppage time at St. James’ Park on Monday night, to ensure they also have six points before taking part in the title showdown.
Arsenal and Liverpool surprised by timing of fixture
Still so early in the season, neither Arsenal nor Liverpool will be at their physical best yet.
It takes time to build fitness, and neither side is likely to be fully fit after just two competitive fixtures.
It’s for this reason that both clubs are surprised by the Premier League’s decision to schedule this high-stakes match-up so early in the campaign.
Writing in the Inside Football Newsletter, journalist Miguel Delaney has revealed that Liverpool and Arsenal have both ‘expressed concern’ about this.
“Some at Liverpool and Arsenal have also expressed surprise that a fixture like this comes so early in the season,” Delaney wrote.
“That comes from the view that it is better for the entire campaign if there is a bigger build-up to such games. Aside from the anticipation and all of the emotion that surrounds such fixtures, there’s also the fitness.
“Most squads aren’t yet close to their best physical condition until mid-September or October. In other words, it would be a better spectacle, and better for the league, if this game was that bit later.”
Jurgen Klopp wouldn’t be happy with the timing of Liverpool vs Arsenal
Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp certainly wouldn’t be happy about when the Premier League have opted to schedule this clash.
The German manager notoriously voiced his frustration with when specific matches would take place, often showing particular disdain for 12:30 pm kick-offs on Saturdays, straight after a midweek European match.
He certainly wouldn’t approve of one of the biggest matches of the campaign being shoehorned into the end of August, with players far from reaching their peak physical level.
That said, there is a valid argument to be made that this is actually a good time for both clubs to play this fixture.
It comes before an international break and after a midweek in which neither side had a game, meaning both teams have had plenty of time to prepare physically and tactically.
They should also both theoretically have fewer injury issues to contend with this early into the campaign.
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