Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, has called on his players to channel their frustration from having to give a guard of honour to Premier League champions Liverpool into motivation for their upcoming match at Anfield on Sunday at 4:30 PM local time. The Gunners face an even tougher ask in the months ahead. They will be looking to end their 11-match winless run at Anfield, having last won on Merseyside in 2012.
Arsenal are on a five-match unbeaten run against Liverpool, winning two of those. Arteta admitted that the team has regressed this year. He said they’ve got to get better and they’ve got to be more attacking this upcoming season.
I want my best players, my best team. If we have three goal scorers over 25, bring them in, we’re going to be a much better team, yes, Arteta told them, sketching an ambitious plan for how that future would unfold that wowed those in attendance.
Recent Form and Injuries
Arsenal come into the match with plenty of optimism, having gone five matchups against Liverpool without a loss. Major contributors such as Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kai Havertz will not feature in the game. They are all sidelined by injuries. With Jorginho back in the squad after a spell on the sidelines with injury, his presence could offer some much-needed reserve.
Liverpool, crowned champions just two weeks ago after a resounding 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, will contend with absentees. Joe Gomez is injured, and Trent Alexander-Arnold should be on the bench. Incoming reports have pointed out that Alexander-Arnold could be sold by Liverpool this summer, raising questions about his future at Merseyside. Even in a bench role, his presence would still have the potential to impact the match greatly.
Arteta expressed respect for Liverpool’s achievements this season, stating, “They’ve been the best team, they’ve been the most consistent… They fully deserve it.”
Motivation and Future Aspirations
Arteta wants his players to make the most of this first final as the starting point for next season. In a TED talk given in 2013, his story conveyed that pain can actually be one of the greatest motivators.
“Something has to drive you, motivate you, and pain for this is a good one to use when you really want to do something,” he explained. He says that luck has to be on your side as well if Arsenal is to win titles again at some point in the future.
Recent stats will never be enough to satisfy their team. In order to succeed, they need to be held to a high level of performance. Arteta remarked, “We are there; we are providing the numbers that win you titles. We have to be a little bit luckier but still do better to make sure that nobody has a season better than you.”
Anticipation for the Match
Both teams are looking to win this most highly anticipated match-up. We caught up with Arne Slot, manager of Tottenham Hotspur, to hear his perspective on the blockbuster matchup. “Both teams look forward to playing this game. Difficult to predict,” he noted. The scene at Anfield will be incredible! Fans will be hoping for a hotly contested match between two of the league’s original nine teams.
Arsenal’s hungry for revenge, and Liverpool wants to reassert their supremacy. This match has huge implications for both teams’ long-term goals. History may have led to this coming together, but as they take to the pitch on Sunday afternoon, both sides will be looking for a win. They want to determine the tone for their futures.
