Arsenal have a difficult challenge awaiting them this weekend at Anfield, as they play Liverpool in a pulsating Premier League clash.
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Arsenal have well and truly overcome their poor early season form, with positive results of late in the Premier League. With the final international break of the year done and dusted, the Gunners have a challenging task at their hands. Arsenal travel to Anfield this weekend, as they play Liverpool in a pulsating clash in the league. In his pre-match press conference, Arteta, according to their club’s website, said, “It is always a test, it is a fascinating stadium to play football in. You have to be at your best, and raise the level to your maximum standards, emotionally, physically, tactically, because if you don’t you will be exposed. Going to Anfield is always a test, but if you are able to do that, there are not many grounds as good as there to feel that you are a proper footballer.”
“It is difficult to judge just on this season because what they have done in recent years, I think Jurgen and his staff have managed to bring the club to the best moments in their history and to sustain it, which is the hardest thing to do. So they have transformed the energy around the place; I think the cohesion and energy they have created in the stadium is something special, and Jurgen has done that at other clubs he has been at so it’s a talent he has. He has built from there and obviously been extremely successful.”
Arteta then spoke about young attacker Emile Smith Rowe’s impressive performances for England in the recent international break. “First of all I was surprised because it happened just after our game, but I was extremely happy for him. I know the expectation he had, a lot of talk around it, and he really enjoyed it. I saw him yesterday and he was delighted to score a goal for his country, it is always special and he made us proud – not only him, but Bukayo and Aaron starting for the national team, I think it is a great sign for the club,” he explained.
Speaking about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s role, the manager said, “Keep doing the same, because he is getting in great positions, he is having chances and things will happen. He has already scored quite a lot of goals, we always demand more and want more but he needs to continue the form that he’s in, the attitude he is showing and as well the level of implication that he not only has on the team, but around the club as well.”
Asked about the reason Aubameyang came back early from international duty, the manager replied, “No it wasn’t pre-planned, we have to assess him and see how he is and make a decision. We have a lot players who have been through some different games, issues, little injuries, so today we have to test everybody and see how we are to play tomorrow.”
Arteta then gave an update on Thomas Partey’s fitness. “Same again, he could not play for the national team, he really tried to do that because they had a massive game and he really pushed for that one, but he wasn’t close enough to do that. Again, it’s something we have to assess today because he hasn’t done enough [preparation work],” he explained.
