Arteta will need to rally his troops for Anfield visit. — Reuters
ARSENAL travel to Liverpool this weekend hoping that the Merseyside club are still in celebratory mood.
Being dumped out of the Champions League semifinals by Paris St Germain in midweek, the Gunners will need to unload their frustrations somewhere.
The Gunners also unceremoniously lost 2-1 to Bournemouth at home last week, and need a positive result to hold on to that second place in the Premier League table.
Arsenal have only won once – against a relegated Ipswich Town side – and drawn thrice in their last five league matches.
There should be no doubt that Mikel Arteta’s team will qualify for next season’s Champions League, but it would be embarrassing if a resurgent Manchester City side overtook them to the second place they have held on to for quite some time, with only three matches left to play.
After Liverpool, Arsenal still need to face Newcastle United, another team chasing a berth to qualify for the prestigious European tournament, before their final match against Southampton.
After another trophyless year, Arteta will have much to reflect on, given that each season started with so much promise only to end in despair.
It is understandable that injuries and suspensions have somewhat derailed their progress, but it is still up to the team to show up and be counted when it matters.
Arsenal only have themselves to blame, having struggled to win against some teams in the league throughout the season.
As for Liverpool, the celebrations and champagne will have to be put aside for now, after the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea last week.
The loss came as no surprise, as the players’ minds were probably already on the podium at Anfield on May 25 for the Premier League trophy-lifting ceremony and celebrations.
But the optics are not good for the champions to lose back-to-back matches, and Liverpool should perform better to avoid another defeat.
The remaining matches should also be used by some of the fringe players to prove themselves worthy to be part of Arne Slot’s team next season.
And with confirmation from Trent Alexander-Arnold that he will leave the club as his contract expires in June, Conor Bradley will need to start and excel in the remaining matches to cement his place as the first-choice right-back.
There is no question about Bradley’s talents, but another player will surely be signed in the summer transfer window, whether as his back-up or as the first choice.
