Arsenal have something to prove against Liverpool, says Arteta

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal have a ‘point to prove’ as they look to consolidate their titles against the reigning Premier League champions Liverpool.

The Gunners had a good Christmas and New Year, winning all three of their games – against Brighton, Aston Villa and Bournemouth – and watching their closest challengers, Manchester City, fail to win their last two.

This put Arsenal six points clear at the top of the table. but Arteta suggested his team still have skeptics to convince.

He said: “It’s obviously exciting, it’s a huge game against the champions of the last Premier League and we have something to prove. We’re top of the table, we’re playing at home against a very, very good opponent and we want to maintain our position, and to do that we’re going to have to be excellent throughout the game to win the game and that’s what we need to prove.”

Arsenal ‘always have something to prove’

Arsenal found themselves top of the Christmas table for the third time in four seasons, but have yet to win a title since 2003.

And although Arteta refused to compare this team to previous iterations, he believes they show the consistency needed to get over the finish line.

He added: “Every week we have something to prove. We had it a few days ago against Bournemouth after a great win against Villa and it will continue like that until May and we know that because once we are in the position we are in we want to maintain and extend the lead that we have and to do that our level of determination and desire has to be in that frame of mind.

“We all want it so much, that’s what motivates everyone and it’s the superb quality we have within the club, the staff and the players in particular, because we know what it will take to achieve what we want.”

Arsenal boss Arteta wary of Liverpool

Liverpool didn’t defend their title like most people expected.

Arne Slot’s side have improved in recent times and are unbeaten in eighth place in the league, but their hopes of going head-to-head were dashed several weeks ago.

Nonetheless, Arteta remains wary of the Merseysiders.

“I think the margins for all of us are really small, we always talk about it,” he said. “They have a great manager, they have a sensational structure, understanding what they need to do in relation to the players they select tomorrow in the lineup, they can play in different ways because in the end it will make them a little bit different and more specific to what we can expect tomorrow and we need to be aware of that and focus on what we need to do.

“I still think they’re a great team and what they’ve done as well and you also have to understand the context they have with some injuries and how tough the league is for all of us, but my opinion hasn’t changed on that.”

Havertz could return

Arsenal could have Kai Havertz back on the bench tomorrow night.

The German striker was named among the substitutes for the home game against Aston Villa on December 30 after making his return from a knee injury suffered in August, but was then left out of the weekend’s win at Bournemouth.

Arteta said: “We’re obviously monitoring his charge; he’s been out for a long time for two different reasons, and he’s very close. He trained again this morning, and hopefully we’ll have him available in the best version of Kai Havertz.”