If Arsenal do not win at home to Liverpool on Sunday, they best brace themselves for a week of scrutiny — because the critics and doubters will not hesitate to label them as the ‘nearly men’.
We are only eight games into the season, but this already feels like a ‘must-win’ for Arsenal. It is certainly a bigger game for them than it is Liverpool, in terms of how it impacts their season and their immediate welfare.
Lose and they will be seven points behind their opponents and almost certainly six behind Manchester City, who host Southampton on Saturday. Given the fine margins of recent seasons in the title race, that would feel like a big lead to give two excellent rivals.
With that there will be talk of their challenge taking a serious dent, and the pressure on the games after — trips to Newcastle and Chelsea — will be huge. A defeat on Sunday would take some recovering from, and they would have to win some very big matches to get people believing again. I’m not sure how some of their players would handle that.
But that is the price on the ticket if you’re a big player at a big club — deal with it! And the best way to do that? It’s very simple: go and beat Liverpool.
Arsenal are facing a must-win match against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon at the Emirates
The Gunners are vulnerable with the likes of Bukayo Saka expected to be absent with injury
Arsenal will have to shake the tag of being 'nearly men' with several big matches coming up
The reason I am writing about the possibility of an Arsenal loss is that Liverpool are a very dangerous team right now, and it feels like they are playing Arsenal at just the right time.
I look at Arsenal’s midfield — without injured Martin Odegaard — and there is no guile or imagination there. Declan Rice and Thomas Partey are two honest players, but the strongest part of their game is their defensive heads. With Bukayo Saka a doubt too, Arsenal are vulnerable.
Liverpool have won 11 from 12 under Arne Slot and are looking fabulous. Early season, I didn’t see much difference from how Jurgen Klopp had them playing. Now, I see a significant difference.
They are prepared to give up some of the pitch to the opposition. They’re not pressing on the edge of the 18-yard box. They’re playing in a more pragmatic way.
When they get the ball, they’re still that rapid, attacking, dynamic force. But that more efficient approach, compared to what Jurgen had, might just suit them. It’s very hard to be on the front foot for every game you play. Picking and choosing when you’re going to press will be better for them over a long, hard season.
This is what we did in my day with Liverpool. Pressing is not a new thing, of course. Our trigger for it was Ian Rush. He was like lightning. When he went, we’d all push in behind him. But we were sensible, too. There were games we’d have a look at and work out how the pattern was going and we’d adapt. Liverpool are showing signs of playing that way.
Under Jurgen, his heavy metal football, they were on it for every second of every game. That’s a hell of an ask over the course of a Premier League season.
I liked what they did against Chelsea on Sunday during their 2-1 win. They let Chelsea have more of the ball — and that’s unusual for a team coming to Anfield — but a lot of it was in their own half, and that didn’t worry them. They were happy to watch them have the ball in areas where they weren’t going to get hurt. Then, when the time was right, bang.
I think we’ll see a similar game unfold on Sunday, and that is where Liverpool are a real threat to Arsenal.
Liverpool are looking fabulous having won 11 of their first 12 matches under Arne Slot
Liverpool are now showing significant differences under Arne Slot compared to Jurgen Klopp
Arsenal have had self-inflicted wounds with red cards and must keep 11 men on the pitch
One other challenge Arsenal have — can they keep 11 men on the pitch? They’ve had a few needless red cards now, and it’s cost them. When you’re a winner, you show your edge in many different ways. You’ve got your angry head on, and that’s OK, you need that. But don’t be getting daft bookings or sent off.
Two strong challenges that might stray the other side of the line? OK, but make sure your booking is worth some benefit to the team. Some of Arsenal’s wounds have been self-inflicted.
If they are to be champions, they have to rise to all of these challenges we are talking about. I still believe, like in our day, winning the league is the greatest measure of a team. They have that to prove and, until they do win the Premier League, the ‘nearly men’ is a label they will have to wear.
Winning big matches and medals is the only way to rid yourself of that tag. That is why this game will be so informative as to which way Arsenal’s season will go.
It makes sense to cash in on Isak
I listened to Eddie Howe’s press conference on Friday and he might be fighting an uphill battle to keep Alexander Isak beyond this season if Newcastle do not qualify for the Champions League.
His value to the club is still there next summer because he will still have three years on his contract. He is 25 years old and approaching his peak. He will fancy himself as a Champions League regular, even though he didn’t look like that when missing chances in the 1-0 defeat by Brighton last week.
Newcastle fans won’t want to hear this, but it could make sense for Newcastle to cash in while his value is at a premium, especially given the difficulties they have encountered with PSR.
Eddie Howe has been facing questions over Alexander Isak's long-term future at Newcastle
Cashing in on Isak now could make sense for Newcastle while his value remains at a premium
There is no excuse for Duran’s tantrum
Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran needs to have a look in the mirror after his reaction to being substituted just moments after scoring against Bologna this week.
He is 20 years old and some might say he should be forgiven his tantrum. No, it’s not professional. It would not be acceptable for a 30-year-old who was an established player, never mind someone who is just making their way.
Some of the senior players need to have a word. I would say, ‘We’ve got a long, hard season. The hardest place to play is striker. We need you fully at it for every game — and that means you won’t be playing 90 minutes every week’. It’s a common-sense thing and there needs to be some self-awareness. It looks to me like he’s got ahead of himself and started to believe some of the favourable headlines about him just a little too much.
Jhon Duran vented his frustration on the bench after being substituted for Ollie Watkins
The 20-year-old forward was taken off moments after scoring in the 2-0 win against Bologna
Ten Hag is in control of his own destiny
I was bitterly disappointed not to be invited as guest of honour for Fenerbahce versus Manchester United this week, given my relationship with both sets of fans.
I’m joking, of course. Having played for Liverpool and managed Galatasaray, it’s probably best I watched this one at home on the television.
And given how difficult any away game in Turkey can be, United will take that 1-1 draw, even though it means more noise around Erik ten Hag.
I noticed reports again this week linking others with his job, but results will dictate his future. While he is still there, his destiny is in his hands.