Is Arsenal vs Liverpool a free hit for Mikel Arteta’s side?

A free hit is a cricket term, one defined as ‘a chance for a batter to strike a ball without the possibility of being caught out’, which in the case of Arsenal against Liverpool, means the hosts can’t really lose.

But, they can. It’s football.

In this particular instance, without being pedantic, the idea that Wednesday’s fixture is a free hit for Arsenal is less of a slight on Mikel Arteta’s side and instead more heavily based on the Reds’ untold brilliance.

The circumstances of the table also affect the way this match is perceived. The fact that it’s being billed as such a credit to the work undertaken up until this point. Arsenal have got themselves into the Premier League top four with their recent 2-0 victory over Leicester, a position they hold above Manchester United, West Ham and Wolves, who have all played three more matches.

Is Arsenal vs Liverpool a free hit for Mikel Arteta’s side as the two clubs meet at the Emirates Stadium for Wednesday’s Premier League clash

As for Tottenham, the gap would remain six points with the same number of matches played if Arsenal were to lose.

What there is now is breathing space. Terrific form over the past 11 matches has seen Arsenal claim 28 points from 33 available, and this sequence of five straight wins means that even if a fourth loss to Liverpool this season were to occur it wouldn’t be overly detrimental to their Champions League aspirations. Because after all, everyone loses to Liverpool.

So, for that reason, is it a free hit? Well, if that were the mindset then there would be no reason not to rotate the team given another tough fixture awaits at Villa Park just 64 hours later. It’s a lunchtime kick-off, too.

We all know very well that Arteta won’t do this. Nicolas Pepe and Mohamed Elneny won’t be making rare starts. Having worked on the team individually and collectively since the previous league hammering five months ago, the chance to demonstrate how resilient and improved this Arsenal side are won’t be passed up.

The other side of the argument is that Arsenal could rotate and lose both matches. There would be uproar in such an eventuality as there are no guarantees in the Premier League, so you’re walking a tightrope adopting that approach.

It is, however, improbable that Arsenal will win. There is no debate over who heads into this game as favourites. But that won’t stop this team going full throttle for it; toe-to-toe with the pressure slightly lifted. Knowing that they will expend a considerable amount of energy and then take on Aston Villa fatigued from their efforts, coming out of midweek without a point could be devastating. That Villa game has banana skin written all over it. The M1 is full of them.

What Arsenal have done is put themselves in a position where a loss is palatable. While defeats are always difficult to swallow there are some that slide down the gullet easier than others.

It still isn’t acceptable, though, since this litmus test of a match has the potential to catapult Arsenal into a whole new light. Brimming with confidence themselves as well as being at fortress Emirates, their rivals for the top four, as well as all sides in the country, will take real notice of what is bubbling away in north London. One can’t even imagine the power these players would feel if they take points off Liverpool.

United and Tottenham are angling for any modicum of hope they can get, so to crush their spirits with a statement win would set Arsenal well on course to achieve their only remaining goal this season.

Furthermore – despite history instilling an unavoidable degree of doubt against this opposition – Arsenal could not be better placed to pull off a shock. What they’ve managed in recent fixtures is to soften the blow of a loss. Sure, they’ve knitted themselves a comforting safety net, but that won’t stop them taking the plunge.