Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold believes Arsenal will have learnt from their collapse in the 2022/23 Premier League title race and will be tougher this term....
Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold believes Arsenal will have learnt from their collapse in the 2022/23 Premier League title race and will be tougher this term.
The Gunners and Reds will contest a festive fixture to determine who tops the 2023/24 table at Christmas on Saturday. Arsenal head to Anfield atop the Premier League standings by only a point to Liverpool in third. Aston Villa now split the sides but have played one more match.
Arsenal held a five-point lead over Manchester City atop the table at Christmas last year. The Emirates Stadium giants even stretched their margin to eight points on January 15 and again in March. But Mikel Arteta’s side failed to see it out and finished the term five points behind.
Arsenal spent 248 days atop the Premier League table in 22/23
It was often Arsenal’s title to lose having enjoyed 248 days atop the Premier League over the 22/23 season. But the wheels fell off the wagon after a trip to Anfield as they won just three of their final nine games. Manchester City even took the title with three matches left to play.
Arsenal stormed into a 2-0 lead away at Liverpool in April through Gabriel Martinelli (8’) and Gabriel Jesus (28’). But Mohamed Salah (42’) gave the Merseyside squad a lifeline before he missed a penalty. Roberto Firmino (87’) then stepped up right at the finish for the equaliser.
The draw knocked the wind from Arsenal’s sails before drawing 2-2 at West Ham United one week later after leading 2-0. Arsenal then also needed late goals from Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka to claim a 3-3 draw against Southampton, before losing 4-1 at Manchester City.
Alexander-Arnold sees parallels between 22/23 Arsenal and 18/19 Liverpool
A 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest following a 3-0 defeat at home to Brighton & Hove Albion ended Arsenal’s 22/23 Premier League title bid. But Alexander-Arnold believes the Gunners will have learnt from their collapse and sees parallels with Liverpool’s near-miss in 2018/19.
Alexander-Arnold said, via quotes by the Mirror: “Arsenal will have learnt from the games when they dropped points at the end of last season. For us, it’s about being in and around it, getting in a good position like we are now and staying as close as possible.”
He added: “100%. They’re a young, exciting team who last year probably lacked experience winning, more than anything. That’s quite similar to what we were in that season when we were pipped to it by City by one point.
“Those experiences teach you a lot, it teaches you how to win. They will be bringing that from last season and it’s showing in their consistency. They deserve to be near the top. So do we. It will be an exciting game.”
Manchester City edged Liverpool for the Premier League title in 18/19 by just one point with 98. It was the closest the Reds had come to a crown since finishing second to the Citizens by two points in 2013/14. But Liverpool reacted to take the 2019/20 title by 18 points with 99.
