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FROM ANFIELD LOSS TO TABLE TOPPERS: THE INCREDIBLE RISE OF MIKEL ARTETA’S GUNNERS
Arsenal looks to extend its lead to 8 points against a struggling Liverpool side. We analyse Arteta’s tactics and the title race.
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Gunners can move eight points clear and take a big step towards the title.
After Arsenal lost at Anfield back in August, the usual crowd of pundits didn’t hold back. The season had just started, but the game already felt loaded—a chance for Liverpool, who’d splashed the cash all summer, to flex their muscles. For Arsenal, it was supposed to be a shot at proving things were different this time.
Didn’t go that way. Szoboszlai curled in a late free kick, Liverpool won 1-0, and honestly, there was barely anything to get excited about. Arsenal managed just one shot on target.
Gary Neville said Arsenal looked like they were “happy not to lose.” Carragher claimed nothing had changed. Peter Schmeichel called their football “ugly.” Liverpool pulled three points clear, and, at that moment, it felt like the old story for Arsenal.
But fast forward 17 games, and the script’s flipped. Arsenal have swung the gap by 17 points and now sit top of the table. The city’s third straight draw on Wednesday cracked the door wide open, and now Arsenal can push eight points clear.
Even months later, you can tell Mikel Arteta hasn’t forgotten the noise after that Anfield defeat. At his press conference this week, he looked a bit exasperated. “People are entitled to their opinions; mine was different, but that’s the beauty of football,” he said. When pressed, he just repeated, “Very different.”
Later, he opened up a bit more. He talked about how people always second-guess the line-up choices, especially when things go wrong. “We know. We know their physical state, probably more, because nobody asked me. Are the other players available to start? Nobody asked. People assume that.
“We have all the information. You guys don’t, and it’s normal, and we don’t want to provide that either. So normally, with the information that you have, you have to make the judgment that, in your opinion, was the best case to win the game. That has to be accepted.”
This time, Arteta and Arsenal don’t want to leave any room for debate. The injury worries have eased, and this is a fierce squad, especially up front. Eberechi Eze hasn’t even gotten on the pitch in the last four games.
The Gunners have taken maximum points from a tough festive stretch and now welcome a Liverpool team that’s stumbling and short on confidence.
Arsenal showed just recently what they’re capable of when they’re out for payback. After losing late at Villa Park, they came home and thrashed Aston Villa 4-1, one of their best performances of the season. You can bet Arteta’s using the sting from Anfield—and all the chatter that followed—as fuel tonight.
At one point, Arsenal’s six-point lead at the top was their biggest ever after 20 Premier League games. Now’s the moment to make it eight, put Liverpool away, and show everyone they mean business in this title race.
RICE FOR GOLD: EMMANUEL PETIT BACKS DECLAN RICE TO WIN THE 2026 BALLON D'OR
Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit backs Declan Rice for the Ballon d'Or. Discover why the 2026 title race is Rice's time to shine.
Emmanuel Petit thinks Arsenal fans might have a lot to celebrate by the end of the season – a Premier League title after all these years and maybe even a Ballon d’Or winner in their squad.
Right now, Arsenal sit four points clear of Manchester City with just 12 games to go. It’s been almost two decades since they last won the league, and after three straight years finishing second, this feels different. The team finally looks ready to break the drought.
Yeah, they dropped points against Brentford with that 1-1 draw, but honestly, they’ll expect to bounce back on Wednesday against Wolves, who are struggling at the bottom. After that, all eyes turn to Sunday’s huge north London derby with Tottenham. Big week ahead.
Arsenal are still fighting on all fronts and are still alive in every competition, which is no small feat. Petit is backing them to finally grab that Premier League title, and he thinks that kind of success can open the door for individual awards too.
No Arsenal player has ever won the Ballon d’Or, but Petit believes Declan Rice could change that. Rice has been outstanding, both in the league and in Europe. If he keeps this up, and especially if he shines at the World Cup this summer, he’s got a real shot at picking up some big honours when the Ballon d’Or comes around in September.
Petit put it pretty simply: Declan Rice might be leading the Ballon d’Or race right now, but the World Cup matters too. Still, he’s clear Rice and Arsenal have to win something this season. You can be as talented as you want, but if you don’t have trophies to show for it, you’re not in the conversation with the best.
It’s not enough just to be recognised as a special player. To really be considered one of the greats, you need to win titles.
The closest Arsenal ever came to a Ballon d’Or winner was Thierry Henry finishing second in 2003, just behind Pavel Nedved. Now Rice, who’s 27 and cost Arsenal £105 million from West Ham last year, is probably their most important player. He’s already been named in back-to-back PFA Teams of the Year, helped England reach two European Championship finals, and just keeps raising his game.
Even Gary Lineker recently said Rice is one of the frontrunners for Premier League Player of the Season. He was chatting with his mates about it; if United keep going strong and Bruno Fernandes keeps piling up goals and assists, he’s in the mix too. Erling Haaland’s name always comes up, especially if he starts scoring again. Gabriel, Arsenal’s defender, deserves a shout as well.
But right now? There’s no clear winner yet. Still, Lineker called Bruno “a bloody good footballer", and you know what, the same goes for Rice. He’s been massive for Arsenal. And if things keep going their way, he could be lifting some serious silverware both for the team and on his own.
QUADRUPLE WARNING: MIKEL ARTETA FEARS MOUNTING INJURIES COULD DERAILE ARSENAL’S HISTORIC SEASON
Mikel Arteta admits major injury worries for Arsenal's quadruple bid. Discover the latest on Odegaard and Saka's new midfield role.
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Mikel Arteta isn’t hiding his concern; he’s worried Arsenal’s push for a quadruple might fall apart if injuries keep piling up in his midfield.
Martin Odegaard missed the FA Cup win over Wigan after picking up a knock, so Arteta had to shift Bukayo Saka into central midfield. Now Arsenal’s captain joins Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino on the injury list after that tough draw with Brentford.
“Yeah, I’m worried, especially because it’s always something,” Arteta said. “First it was the strikers, then the defenders, and now it’s the midfielders.” He’s watching his squad get thinner while Arsenal are still fighting on every front, leading the Premier League, already in the League Cup final, and top of their Champions League group.
“We’re coping for now, but we need players back and healthy, not just to fill out the squad but to give us different options against whoever we face,” he said. “The sooner, the better.”
Against Wigan, Arteta was forced to play Saka in midfield during a comfortable 4-0 win, but that wasn’t the original plan. He wanted to use Myles Lewis-Skelly there, but a late injury to defender Riccardo Calafiori meant Saka had to step in. It might not be the last time, either.
“I wanted to try it, and we could use it again,” Arteta said. “We’ve got so many matches, so many competitions, and all sorts of scenarios left this season. That’s definitely an option.”
He likes what Saka brings in that role. “He’s more central, closer to the goal. It’s harder for opponents to track him. He can swap with the wide player; he finds those little pockets, and when he gets the ball there, he’s dangerous.”
To make matters worse, Ben White also left the pitch injured. Arteta said they’ll need to check on him.
Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze bounced back after being subbed off at halftime against Brentford, setting up two stunning goals for Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli.
“I loved the risks he took in the final third, the shots he tried; it’s really positive,” Arteta said. “That’s what I want from him. Creative players need those moments to feel like they’re making a difference. I’m really pleased with that.”
He didn’t forget Martinelli, either. “Gabi’s run, his timing, the finish – it’s all really good. It’s great for the mood and the team’s confidence.”
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