Mikel Arteta Issues Rallying Cry Ahead Of Liverpool Clash

By The Editor
on 23rd October 2024

Arteta demands fans bring the noise on Sunday…

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta issued a rallying cry ahead of our crucial Premier League clash against Liverpool as we look to close the gap at the top of the table.

Arteta’s side responded to the disappointing defeat at Bournemouth last week with a lacklustre 1-0 victory against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

The game was overshadowed by yet another injury concern as Riccardo Calafiori buckled under his own knee after being dispossessed just outside our penalty area.

The 22-year-old attempted to carry on following an initial check from the physio, but went down minutes later requesting to be substituted.

“With Riccy it’s something different, he felt something, I don’t know the extent of that so in that sense it’s not great news,” Arteta told the press after the game.

With Calafiori, it seems his right knee will always be a worry given the horrific injury he suffered as a teenager at Roma – one that required a full reconstruction.

While the Italian international has enjoyed a stellar career following that incident without any relapse, he does seem sensitive to any sensation he feels in that area.

As the focus now turns to welcoming Arne Slot’s high-flying Liverpool on Sunday, Arteta made it clear he expects a different performance from his players and wants that replicated in the stands.

“In the second half, we started pretty well and then we started to give a little bit back,” the boss told Arsenal Media.

“I think physically and mentally what we went through two-and-a-half days ago paid but it was important and then we didn’t have that clarity, that purpose, we gave some balls away and we didn’t have the same rhythm as we did in the first half.

“It’s always very great and important to win in the Champions League, we start tomorrow with the preparations and the place has to be rocking here against Liverpool and give us all the possible energy that they can,” he added.

The atmosphere was definitely subdued on Tuesday night, though that may be as a result of the current Champions League format and the feeling of little jeopardy.

With seven points from our first three games, we currently sit in fourth in the entire league with 16 points seen as the desired target to qualify directly.