Dear Liverpool, do Arsenal one huge favour please

Arsenal are in charge of their own destiny. That’s the way Mikel Arteta has laid it out to the players and now more than ever does that ring true.

From the remaining four matches this season, the permutations vary. As it stands, Arsenal are looking at it game by game, a mantra they have held throughout the campaign.

Relegation threatened Leeds head to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday with Premier League survival hanging by a thread. Despite being given the tag of favourite due to the gulf in points on the table, this will be anything but a nailed-on three points. It’s going to be unbearably nervy for those without ice in their veins.

Weirdly, though, it is events on Saturday that are causing more anxiety.

https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1522248505645019137

Dear Liverpool, do Arsenal one huge favour please and beat Tottenham at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday

Tottenham travel to Anfield that evening with their top four destiny also firmly in their hands. Win all of their remaining matches, two of which are against Burnley and Norwich, and they will have clinched Champions League football. Hosting Arsenal at home in the derby gives them the edge in that game, too.

But before that they must overcome one of the biggest hurdles in Europe. Liverpool, away from home, would frighten any side across the continent. As it should, they are a devastating cyborg sent from above to conquer the world.

It isn’t nice to ask for favours. Sadly, we need one.

Technically Arsenal don’t need Liverpool to beat Spurs. Winning all of their games would be enough, but heading up the Seven Sisters Road with the prospect of a five-point advantage in the table would be the most welcome of emotional cushions to have for a fixture that is always brutal to endure.

Going there knowing that Arsenal don’t have to win the game would, as Granit Xhaka put it, allow them to play with more ‘freedom’. Any North London Derby is a psychologically draining affair, and while complacency isn’t allowed to set in and victory is always the goal in this fixture, should Arsenal leave with a point they will still be in a fabulous position to secure fourth place.

Spurs, meanwhile, would have to open up and get at Arsenal with their points deficit as well as playing in front of a baying crowd, which plays into the Gunners’ hands even more.

None of these hypothetical situations are plausible unless Arsenal hold up their end of the bargain at home to Leeds, and Liverpool take care of business against Antonio Conte’s men.

No Heung-min Son screamers, no Harry Kane penalties. Luis Diaz flair and Sadio Mane clinicality, please.

Dear Jurgen, don’t be Pep. Be better than Pep.