GRAEME SOUNESS: Arsenal’s conflict with Liverpool already looks like a must-win for Mikel Arteta’s facet… they should shake their ‘almost males’ tag

If Arsenal don’t win at house to Liverpool on Sunday, they greatest brace themselves for every week of scrutiny — as a result of the critics and doubters is not going to hesitate to label them because the ‘almost males’.

We’re solely eight video games into the season, however this already looks like a ‘must-win’ for Arsenal. It’s definitely a much bigger recreation for them than it’s Liverpool, when it comes to the way it impacts their season and their rapid welfare.

Lose and they are going to be seven factors behind their opponents and virtually definitely six behind Manchester Metropolis, who host Southampton on Saturday. Given the high-quality margins of latest seasons within the title race, that will really feel like a giant result in give two glorious rivals.

With that there will probably be discuss of their problem taking a critical dent, and the strain on the video games after — journeys to Newcastle and Chelsea — will probably be enormous. A defeat on Sunday would take some recovering from, and so they must win some very large matches to get individuals believing once more. I’m unsure how a few of their gamers would deal with that.

However that’s the value on the ticket for those who’re a giant participant at a giant membership — cope with it! And one of the best ways to try this? It’s quite simple: go and beat Liverpool.

The rationale I’m writing about the potential for an Arsenal loss is that Liverpool are a really harmful staff proper now, and it looks like they’re taking part in Arsenal at simply the appropriate time.

I take a look at Arsenal’s midfield — with out injured Martin Odegaard — and there’s no guile or creativeness there. Declan Rice and Thomas Partey are two trustworthy gamers, however the strongest a part of their recreation is their defensive heads. With Bukayo Saka a doubt too, Arsenal are weak.

Liverpool have received 11 from 12 below Arne Slot and are wanting fabulous. Early season, I didn’t see a lot distinction from how Jurgen Klopp had them taking part in. Now, I see a big distinction.

They’re ready to surrender a few of the pitch to the opposition. They’re not urgent on the sting of the 18-yard field. They’re taking part in in a extra pragmatic method.

After they get the ball, they’re nonetheless that fast, attacking, dynamic pressure. However that extra environment friendly method, in comparison with what Jurgen had, may simply go well with them. It’s very exhausting to be on the entrance foot for each recreation you play. Choosing and selecting if you’re going to press will probably be higher for them over a protracted, exhausting season.

That is what we did in my day with Liverpool. Urgent shouldn’t be a brand new factor, after all. Our set off for it was Ian Rush. He was like lightning. When he went, we’d all push in behind him. However we had been smart, too. There have been video games we’d take a look at and work out how the sample was going and we’d adapt. Liverpool are exhibiting indicators of taking part in that method.

Below Jurgen, his heavy metallic soccer, they had been on it for each second of each recreation. That’s a hell of an ask over the course of a Premier League season.

I favored what they did towards Chelsea on Sunday throughout their 2-1 win. They let Chelsea have extra of the ball — and that’s uncommon for a staff coming to Anfield — however plenty of it was in their very own half, and that didn’t fear them. They had been glad to observe them have the ball in areas the place they weren’t going to get harm. Then, when the time was proper, bang.

I feel we’ll see an analogous recreation unfold on Sunday, and that’s the place Liverpool are an actual menace to Arsenal.

One different problem Arsenal have — can they preserve 11 males on the pitch? They’ve had a number of pointless crimson playing cards now, and it’s value them. Whenever you’re a winner, you present your edge in many alternative methods. You’ve bought your indignant head on, and that’s OK, you want that. However don’t be getting daft bookings or despatched off.

Two robust challenges that may stray the opposite facet of the road? OK, however ensure your reserving is value some profit to the staff. A few of Arsenal’s wounds have been self-inflicted.

If they’re to be champions, they should rise to all of those challenges we’re speaking about. I nonetheless imagine, like in our day, successful the league is the best measure of a staff. They’ve that to show and, till they do win the Premier League, the ‘almost males’ is a label they should put on.

Profitable large matches and medals is the one strategy to rid your self of that tag. That’s the reason this recreation will probably be so informative as to which method Arsenal’s season will go.

It is sensible to money in on Isak 

I listened to Eddie Howe’s press convention on Friday and he could be preventing an uphill battle to maintain Alexander Isak past this season if Newcastle don’t qualify for the Champions League.

His worth to the membership continues to be there subsequent summer season as a result of he’ll nonetheless have three years on his contract. He’s 25 years previous and approaching his peak. He’ll fancy himself as a Champions League common, despite the fact that he didn’t appear to be that when lacking possibilities within the 1-0 defeat by Brighton final week.

Newcastle followers received’t wish to hear this, but it surely may make sense for Newcastle to money in whereas his worth is at a premium, particularly given the difficulties they’ve encountered with PSR.

There isn’t any excuse for Duran’s tantrum

Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran wants to take a look within the mirror after his response to being substituted simply moments after scoring towards Bologna this week.

He’s 20 years previous and a few may say he ought to be forgiven his tantrum. No, it’s not skilled. It will not be acceptable for a 30-year-old who was a longtime participant, by no means thoughts somebody who’s simply making their method.

A number of the senior gamers have to have a phrase. I might say, ‘We’ve bought a protracted, exhausting season. The toughest place to play is striker. We’d like you totally at it for each recreation — and which means you received’t be taking part in 90 minutes each week’. It’s a commonsense factor and there must be some self-awareness. It seems to me like he’s bought forward of himself and began to imagine a few of the beneficial headlines about him just a bit an excessive amount of.

Ten Hag is answerable for his personal future

I used to be bitterly dissatisfied to not be invited as visitor of honour for Fenerbahce versus Manchester United this week, given my relationship with each units of followers.

I’m joking, after all. Having performed for Liverpool and managed Galatasaray, it’s in all probability greatest I watched this one at house on the tv.

And given how tough any away recreation in Turkey might be, United will take that 1-1 draw, despite the fact that it means extra noise round Erik ten Hag.

I seen studies once more this week linking others along with his job, however outcomes will dictate his future. Whereas he’s nonetheless there, his future is in his arms.