On Sunday, Arsenal and Liverpool, two of the top three teams will go head to head in an early game that could shape the title race.
Liverpool have won seven of their eight Premier League games this season, after beating Chelsea 2-1 at Anfield last weekend.
Arsenal lost to Bournemouth last weekend to bring their unbeaten streak to an end. The gunners sit four points behind the Reds ahead of this weekend’s game.
Both teams won in the Champions League midweek. Although Shakhtar boss Marino Pusic is adamant his side should have beat the gunners on Tuesday night:
“Yes, of course, it is a pity because we had opportunities to score an equaliser at the end. I always say it is better to lose with your philosophy than lose without it. So we lost, we have to congratulate the opponent because, again, this is an incredible team.”
Jamie O’Hara calls Arsenal boring
UEFA Champions League, League Stage Arsenal v FC Shakhtar Donetsk Arsenal celebrates Dmytro Riznyk of Shakhtar Donetsk own goal to make it 1-0 Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League, League Stage Arsenal vs FC Shakhtar Donetsk at Emirates Stadium, London, United Kingdom, 22nd October 2024 Photo by Izzy Poles/News Images London Emirates Stadium Greater London United Kingdom Copyright: xIzzyxPoles/NewsxImagesx
TalkSport pundit and former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara said on the show that he could predict how the Arsenal Liverpool game would go.
O’Hara says the game would most likely be a boring one due to Arsenal’s style of play:
“I think that’s going to be a stink-fest at the weekend. I think Arsenal are going to go and just park the bus,”
This is an unusual jab at Arsenal, as their big games in the Premier League season have been exciting. Their 2-2 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad is already one of the best games this season.
Mikel Arteta glad the Gunners got the job done
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was pleased that his team bounced back from last weekend’s defeat in the Premier League:
“Well I think there were two very different halves, first one we were very dominant, we created four big, big chances we should have converted them and put the game to bed with the amount of dominance we had, the second half very different, we look tired, we lacked that sharpness with and without the ball to regain the ball in the right moments as well in the right areas and giving certain balls away that allow certain transitions.”
The Spaniard was glad about how his side saw the game through despite being under pressure at the end of the game.
“We had two big chances again, missed a big penalty and that emotion again was difficult to overcome and we have to begin but credit to them they are a good side the moment you allow them space, don’t finish actions and give them the chance to run they are a threat. Overall it’s Champions League, get the win, clean sheet. Let’s move on.”
Earlier this week, Declan Rice asked the team to improve after the loss to Bournemouth, it looks like the team responded on Tuesday night.
