Arsenal vs Liverpool: 3 things to look for in Sunday’s game

Arsenal and Liverpool will do battle at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon in a critical clash for Mikel Arteta’s side.

For the first time in perhaps six or seven years, Arsenal fans head into a game against Jurgen Klopp’s men not wondering how many goals the Gunners will ship in. There is a newfound sense of optimism that perhaps this Arsenal side is different.

Flying at the start of the league season, Arsenal are now being talked about as the ones who should be feared. Still, Liverpool are Liverpool, so don’t believe they will roll over and let Arsenal dictate proceedings on Sunday afternoon.

Arsenal vs Liverpool: 3 things to look for in Sunday’s game

In a game of this magnitude, there are plenty of things to look for. Here are my three.

1. How do Arsenal cope with expectations?

As mentioned above, this is the first time in what feels like forever that Arsenal are the favourites against Liverpool. Such has been the Reds’ up-and-down form this season, they are already a whopping 11 points behind the Gunners.

For many, this is Arsenal’s game to lose. But how will the side deal with the pressure? At home, in form and with Liverpool as vulnerable as they’ve been in years. It is a considerable shift from 12 months ago when Arsenal was expected to sit deep, soak up pressure, and snatch a goal.

Now, the hosts will be expected to go for the throat, and it’s Liverpool that many have doubts over. It’s a big game, but how Arteta’s young side copes mentally will tell us a lot.

Continued on the next slide…