Ahead of the highly anticipated Premier League clash between Arsenal and Liverpool on Sunday, a key Liverpool player has identified a specific Arsenal star as a major threat, someone they are particularly wary of.
Interestingly, this player is not Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, or Kai Havertz, but someone else who has proven to be a handful for Liverpool in previous encounters.
This revelation comes as Arsenal prepares for one of their biggest challenges of the season, with Liverpool currently sitting four points ahead of the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta’s side, which recently suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth, now finds itself four points behind Liverpool in the league standings.
The match on Sunday is crucial for Arsenal as they attempt to close the gap.
A loss would see them trailing Liverpool by seven points and potentially falling six points behind Manchester City, depending on the result of City’s game against Southampton on Saturday.
This fixture carries significant weight for the Gunners as they look to keep pace with the top teams in the title race.
In addition to the pressure of the match, Arsenal is dealing with key absences.
One of their main concerns is the fitness of captain Martin Ødegaard, who has been out of action since sustaining an injury while on international duty with Norway in September.
Norway’s national team coach, Stale Solbakken, has provided a positive update on Ødegaard’s recovery, suggesting that things are going well.
Solbakken mentioned that Ødegaard is nearing the final stages of his rehabilitation and is expected to participate in full team training soon.
However, despite the encouraging news, it is unlikely that Ødegaard will be ready in time for the game against Liverpool, much to the disappointment of Arsenal fans.
Football journalist Isaac Seelochan from *football.london* also weighed in on the situation, noting that although Ødegaard’s recovery is progressing well, it would be unwise for Mikel Arteta to rush him back into action.
The Norwegian playmaker’s influence on Arsenal’s midfield is undeniable, and while his return is eagerly awaited, the team will likely exercise caution to avoid aggravating his injury.
Seelochan remarked that although the Liverpool match would be an ideal stage for Ødegaard to shine, it is still too early for his comeback.
Meanwhile, another Arsenal player, Oleksandr Zinchenko, has shared a heartwarming story from his time at Manchester City.
The Ukrainian defender revealed that after City’s triumphant Champions League win in 2023, he received a personal phone call from City manager Pep Guardiola.
Zinchenko, who joined Arsenal in 2022 after a successful stint at City, expressed his surprise and gratitude at receiving the call.
Guardiola praised Zinchenko’s contributions during his time at the club, despite the fact that he had left City the year before their European triumph.
Zinchenko recounted the moment in his new book, *Believe*, where he described how touched he was by Guardiola’s gesture.
The conversation reminded Zinchenko of the positive influence Guardiola had on his career and the strong relationship they built during his time at City.
Seelochan commented on the story, saying that it is a testament to the important role Zinchenko played in City’s success.
Guardiola’s recognition of Zinchenko’s efforts highlights how highly he is regarded by his former manager, and Arsenal will be hoping that the left-back can have a similar impact at the Emirates.
As Arsenal prepares to face Liverpool on Sunday, the team will be aware of the immense pressure to deliver a result.
With key players like Ødegaard still on the road to recovery, and the knowledge that a defeat could widen the gap between them and their rivals, the Gunners will need to be at their best.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will be focused on maintaining their lead and taking advantage of any vulnerabilities in the Arsenal lineup.
Both teams have much at stake, making Sunday’s clash a must-watch for football fans.
