Arsenal make decision on giving Liverpool guard of honour

Arsenal are expected to give Premier League champions Liverpool a guard of honour as they walk out for this weekend's meeting at Anfield, according to a report by the Liverpool Echo.

The Gunners will follow in the footsteps of Chelsea, who honoured the Reds last week before securing a 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge. It will see them continue a long-standing tradition that acts as more of a gesture and show of respect given clubs are under no obligation to do so.

While they fell short in their challenge for the league title, Arsenal will still be hoping they can take three points away from the red half of Merseyside on Sunday afternoon, but they will not be able to do that until they have honoured the champions.

Arsenal make decision on giving Liverpool guard of honour

It won't be the first time Arsenal have had to applaud Liverpool onto the pitch, having welcomed them at an empty Emirates Stadium in the final weeks of the COVID-stricken 2019-20 season.

The Gunners went on to shock the champions in that game, snatching a 2-1 win after Alexandre Lacazette and Reiss Nelson pounced on mistakes by the Reds' backline to score.

There is likely to be some hurt and frustration among both the Arsenal players and fans as they honour the side that beat them to the Premier League title, rather convincingly it has to be said.

Mikel Arteta admitted last week that to have seen Liverpool win the league was painful, but also took the time to congratulate them for their brilliance on and off the pitch. He acknowledged how well the Reds had continued to perform despite distractions such as contract negotiations with key players.

Regardless of any pain in witnessing Arsenal welcome their title superiors to the field with a guard of honour, there is no denying that such a gesture shows the class Arteta has installed in his side and it should spur them on to go on and get a win at Anfield.

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