Arsenal ready for Anfield ‘jungle’

Arsenal ready for Anfield ‘jungle’

April 8 (Reuters) – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is preparing his players to take their Premier League title fight to the ‘jungle’ of Anfield as they look to end a winless marathon at home to Liverpool.
Arsenal have not won at Anfield in the Premier League since a 2-0 win in the 2012/13 season, a game in which Arteta himself played for the north London club. They have since suffered heavy defeats, including two 5-1 defeats.

Before their last meeting at Anfield in November 2021, which Arsenal lost 4-0, Arteta used a peculiar method to prepare his players for the Liverpool atmosphere by playing ‘You Never Walk Alone’ – the club’s fan song Reds – on a sound system at the training ground.
“You can’t train players at the zoo and then go to the jungle on Sunday,” Arteta told reporters on Friday. “It’s impossible. You have to expose yourself. You have to prepare the players. You have to tell them what’s coming and you have to acknowledge it.”

“The team is full of enthusiasm and a positive attitude. We know we are facing a big challenge, but this is a great opportunity to do something we haven’t done in many years. That’s what’s driving the team these last few days.”

Arsenal have played one game more than Manchester City, who face each other in a few weeks, and Arteta has been asked if his players think they can win the title.
“I think so,” Arteta said. “If you listen to them and what they have said internally and publicly, they definitely do.
“It’s something we see signs of every day. The chemistry they have, the rapport with each other, the fun they play with each other has really contributed positively to that enthusiasm and also the belief that they can go out and beat any team. This is crucial before you do it.

Despite Liverpool’s mixed form this season, which sees them remain eighth in the table, the Merseyside club still have a strong home record – Leeds United are the only team to beat them in the league to date.
Arteta said his team are keen ahead of Sunday’s clash with Liverpool as Arsenal aim to keep their eight-point lead over Manchester City in the title race.

“We know we are facing a big challenge but I see a great opportunity to go to Anfield and do something we haven’t done for years,” said Arteta. “That’s what’s driving the team these past few days.”