Why Anfield should hold no fear for Arteta’s Arsenal

The next stepping stone on the path to the Premier League title for Arsenal comes in the form of Liverpool at Anfield.

Such a trip in the past would have been met with trepidation and fear as it hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Gunners.

How so?

In the last six league games at Anfield, Arsenal has lost all six, conceded 22 goals, and scored just four.

But…

This time, the fixture has a vastly different feel as it is Arsenal as the title hopefuls and Liverpool as the also-rans. While Jurgen Klopp’s side can’t be taken lightly, the ghosts of Anfield’s past should have little impact on this version of Mikel Arteta’s side.

The form line for the Gunners since the February 16 loss to Manchester City makes for great reading. Arsenal has won seven on the bounce, scored 23 goals, and conceded just six.

That’ll work.

On the other hand, Liverpool resembles the Jekyll and Hyde form that Arsenal had dished up for so long. On the back of a three-game winless run that saw them lose 1-0 to Bournemouth, get obliterated by City 4-1, and then the dour 0-0 with Chelsea last time out. Prior to that, the 7-0 thumping of Manchester United was the talk of the town.

But…

The Reds have lost their “fear factor,” and to get a positive result at Anfield is still perhaps one of the most challenging things in world football.

But it’s a challenge that this Arsenal side is more than up for.

Instead of heading into the match feeling like a hammering is going to follow, the Gunners, this season, have an aura about them. While we won’t go as far as to say “champions-elect,” but Arsenal feels more assured of themselves this season.

As such, traveling to the hostilities of Anfield will not have them cowering in the corner and “hoping” for a good result. Instead, the Gunners will head into Sunday in a confident mood and will not be cast aside as they have done in previous meetings (that’s the hope, anyway).

Under Arteta, Arsenal has faced challenge after challenge and has come through the other side. But in a title race that is going down to the wire, the Gunners face their bogey team on their home deck.

In years gone by, Anfield has been a horror show for Arsenal and a nightmare to play at for Arteta’s side as a feeling of dread swept through the club.

Not anymore, and now we will see precisely what Arteta’s team is made of. History is against them, recent form at Anfield is against them, and an out of sorts Liverpool await.

In a game that could shape the title race in Arsenal’s favor or let City back in, the ghosts of Anfield past need to be vanquished…and the Gunners have the weaponry to make it happen.