The next test for Arsenal is arguably their biggest yet

Nobody expected Arsenal to go to Anfield and win. That’s the bottom line. On another day the scoreline could have been worse were it not for Aaron Ramsdale, and the 4-0 defeat will come as a steep learning curve.

What comes next is arguably most important.

Saturday’s night loss at Anfield didn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know: Liverpool are one of three teams in this division streaks ahead of the rest and this young Gunners group are just that; young.

An effort was made to play the same football that had got Arsenal up to this point. Sitting fifth ahead of kick-off, the team are still fifth. The underlying numbers don’t make for great reading with xG, open play chances, goals scored and shot conversion all looking poor, and none of that was going to change against Liverpool.

The next test for Arsenal is arguably their biggest yet as mental recovery from Liverpool defeat needs to see focus put on Newcastle

The hectic winter fixture list is on the horizon and tougher matches than those faced so far await, but before trips to Old Trafford and Goodison Park it’s Newcastle at home. In a different way, the team sat rock bottom of the Premier League table present a greater test than the one just passed.

It will be a test of character, resolve and self-belief.

How the team responds to this setback is vitally important. There is no room to feel sorry for themselves after this humbling, and the positive steps being taken en route to returning to European football haven’t vanished.

The goals for Arsenal before the season and before Saturday are unchanged: being the best of the rest is still the target, and this team is still on course to do so.

Manchester United are in freefall, Everton are losing their way after an impressive start, Leicester are handing out early Premier League Christmas presents, Tottenham will need time to click under Antonio Conte and West Ham will begin to feel the effect of European football at some stage.

Hosting Newcastle, putting them to the sword and getting back to winning ways will prove that Arsenal have not been knocked off their path, and are instead still on course to achieve that they’re aiming for.

Will a lot be told about beating the only winless side left in the division? From a quality point of view, no, but from a mental point of view, absolutely.

Reacting in the right way can be one of the toughest aspects of football, especially after such a heavy loss, whether or not the team you’re facing is battling relegation. As Aaron Ramsdale alluded to, the plan is now to analyse where certain elements of Saturday went wrong, use it as a learning curve, push to one side and then reset focus for Newcastle and beyond.