Arsenal were really good against Paris St-Germain on Wednesday, and I was impressed by how brave they were, but they still went out of the Champions League.
There will be Gunners fans out there who will think they should be winning more trophies than they have managed under Mikel Arteta, who has still not added to the FA Cup he lifted in his first season, 2019-20.
Arsenal are still heading in the right direction but the biggest problem for me has been their recruitment, especially for them to not sign a striker last summer. There are such fine margins between success and failure at the highest level, and you need someone to put away your chances in the biggest games.
They basically admitted that by trying to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa in January and if anyone or anything is to blame for another trophyless season, then that’s where it lies.
Now Arsenal need to refocus and make sure they don’t let second place slip away.
This game obviously is not the title decider that some people may have anticipated earlier in the season, but I still feel both sides will be desperate to win it.
It’s just a shame that, from Liverpool’s point of view, it might be over-shadowed by the reaction to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s announcement he is leaving the club.
There is this debate surrounding Alexander-Arnold now, and whether he should start at Anfield this weekend or play for the club again at all, and also what kind of reception he will get if he does.
No-one can tell Liverpool fans, or fans of any club, what to think – myself included – but we can all have an opinion on this whether we support them or not, and I think some of the reaction to this whole saga has been completely over the top.
Fair-minded people will look at Alexander-Arnold as someone who has given over 20 years service to his boyhood club after rising through the ranks, but just wants a different challenge at Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world, and the most successful one in terms of winning European Cups and Champions Leagues.
If they were in the same position, what would they do? You have always got your die-hards who are not going to change or see things anyone else’s way, but Alexander-Arnold does not deserve the ridiculous abuse he is getting.
In terms of the game itself, I really don’t know what to expect. Liverpool were way below their best against Chelsea last week, but Arne Slot could go strong here and they may feel they have a point to prove against their nearest rivals.
Similarly, Arsenal could be flat after their disappointment in Paris, or they could come out firing. Hopefully that’s the case, and both teams will be up for it.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
Footsie’s prediction: It will be close but Liverpool will win. 2-1
Strategy’s prediction: That’s not a bad shout, I might have to say the same there. 2-1
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