Mikel Arteta has taken inspiration from Jurgen Klopp’s methods, encouraging Arsenal fans to play a pivotal role in the upcoming FA Cup match against Liverpool this Sunday. The Gunners are set to host the Premier League leaders in what promises to be an electrifying third-round fixture, marking their second encounter within a fortnight following a 1-1 draw at Anfield just before the holiday break.
The intensity of the last showdown between these teams was notable, particularly after Klopp emphasized the need for more fervour from the home crowd. Expressing dissatisfaction with the atmosphere during prior matches against West Ham in the Carabao Cup and Manchester United in the league, the Liverpool manager publicly called for greater support from the fans.
Arteta is now echoing Klopp’s approach in anticipation of the FA Cup showdown. Addressing reporters, he remarked, “It will be our own one and we are really happy with the atmosphere that we’ve created at the Emirates,” he told reporters. “It’s been incredibly supportive. Can we tweak it and sometimes make it even more hostile? “I think we can and that’s the next step in my opinion. We have to be so grateful for what we are achieving and creating in our home ground, and Sunday is going to be a good one again.”
This appeal comes on the heels of Arsenal’s recent setbacks, suffering defeats in their last two matches: a 2-0 loss at home to West Ham and a 2-1 defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage. The demanding festive fixture schedule appears to have taken a toll on Arsenal, particularly evident in their struggles to convert chances into goals.
“We weren’t at the level,” admitted Arteta. “We weren’t good enough. I don’t think we deserved to lose the match, but we didn’t do enough to win it.”
“It affected the momentum that we had. Until Christmas Day we were top of the league. Six days later, we are fourth, so you can be very tempted to look at things with a microscope or with a telescope and look a little bit further and with a little bit more perspective. My job big time is to look through the telescope and have perspective and analyse things in the proper way, and not get affected by one performance. Not the result, one performance.”
Liverpool faces the FA Cup tie without key player Mohamed Salah, who has joined the Egypt squad for the Africa Cup of Nations. Additionally, Wataru Endo is unavailable due to duty in the Asia Cup. Dimonik Szoboszlai is sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas are nursing injuries, leaving Joe Gomez likely to continue deputizing at left-back for the Reds.
Arsenal performance and stats
It will be Arsenal ended the league in the 4th position with 40 points.
In the last 20 games, it has won 12 times, drawn 4 times, and lost 4 times. In its last match, Arsenal lost 2-1 against Fulham.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 37 goals and conceding 20.
Arsenal will play the next match in Premier League against Crystal Palace on Saturday 13th of January in London.
Liverpool performance and stats
It will be Liverpool ended the league in the 1st position with 45 points.
In the last 20 games, it has won 13 times, drawn 6 times, and lost once. In its last match, Liverpool won 4-2 against Newcastle United.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 43 goals and conceding 18.
Liverpool will play the next match in Premier League against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday 13th of January in Bournemouth.
