Arsenal are back in action when they host Liverpool at the Emirates – and Patrick Viera has offered his prediction ahead of the game
Patrick Viera is confident that Arsenal have enough to beat Liverpool and secure a much-needed win in their pursuit of winning the Premier League title. Mikel Arteta’s side suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend as they went down 2-0 at Bournemouth and require a response to get back on track.
As for Liverpool, they have won seven of their first eight league matches and are on a run of four successive victories after losing against Nottingham Forest last month. They sit top of the table on 21 points, one above Manchester City and four ahead of Arsenal ahead of the fixture at the Emirates.
It’s a pivotal game, there is no doubt that, and Viera is backing the Gunners despite their recent struggles. Viera told mybettingsites.co.uk: “It’s true that Arsenal’s squad is very depleted, probably too depleted to be able to meet expectations against a Liverpool team in resplendent form and currently looking irresistible.
“But the fact that Arsenal are playing at home, where they rarely lose, and with the support of their fans, and if they manage to be effective in the opposition’s box, I have no doubt that they will be in a position to score a victory that would be crucial to their revival after a few complicated weeks in the league.
“The players will have to work as a team to make up for the major absences. This has always been the great strength of this club. No player should be above the institution.
“Each of the first-choice players will have to give their all to give themselves the best chance of winning. And three weeks after coming from behind to beat Manchester City 2-2 in stoppage time. If they lose again on Sunday, Liverpool and City will undoubtedly go top of the league. So this is a very important turning point for Arsenal.”
Arsenal could be without seven players for the game against Liverpool. William Saliba, Martin Odegaard, Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu are not available, while Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber are doubtful after missing training on Friday.
Mikel Arteta said in his press conference that it’s “uncertain” whether Saka, Calafiori and Timber will be able to feature against Liverpool, with the trio facing late fitness tests.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Arteta said: “Yes, obviously after the defeat with 10 men at Bournemouth we had to pick ourselves up. I think we started the game so well. At first it was really good and should have been very different with the scoreline. It wasn’t and in the end that left us feeling that it should’ve been more.
“They had a day off, two days to prepare again like we always do, and it’s a big match. We’re all excited about it, it’s a big opportunity. We love these kind of matches at the Emirates. We know what our people are going to generate and the team is really looking forward to it.”