Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, challenged his players to end a 14-year wait for a Premier League win at Anfield. He spoke at a press conference on Friday ahead of Sunday’s clash with Liverpool.
Arsenal last won at the ground on 2 September 2012. Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla scored the goals in a 2-0 victory. Arteta himself played in midfield that day under Arsene Wenger. Since then the Gunners have recorded five draws and eight defeats in 13 league visits.
Arteta framed the fixture as a chance to break the streak. “It’s 14 years that we haven’t won there, so it’s time to do it,” he said. He added, “It’s an opportunity. I came here and in many places we were 20, 22 years, 18 years without winning, and we’ve been doing all these things, so on Sunday, that’s the opportunity that we have.”
The Spaniard noted that Arsenal had come close in recent seasons. He explained the team had discussed what still needed to change. “Well, going there with full conviction, that’s number one, and we’ve been very, very close in the last few years to win. But something is missing, and that’s what we’ve been discussing the last few days. To go there with a real purpose. To hurt them and get away from there with a victory,” Arteta stated.
Arteta stressed the need for total conviction from the first whistle. He pointed to previous long droughts the club had ended under his management at other venues. Arsenal entered the match in strong form after a solid start to the season. Liverpool, managed by Andoni Iraola, prepared to defend their home record.
