When Manchester City faltered last season, Arsenal must have thought it was their chance to finally land the Premier League title.
The Gunners had finished as runners-up for two consecutive years behind Manchester City.
But Mikel Arteta’s men were left to play bridesmaid again, when Liverpool clinched their record-equalling 20th title in Arne Slot’s first year in charge.
Arsenal ended the season 10 points behind the Reds.
Ahead of this season, Arteta has finally brought in a striker in the form of the bullish Viktor Gyokeres. Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze have also come in to bolster the attack.
It does feel that Arteta is looking to launch a robust challenge for the title by plugging the holes in his squad.
Their first big test will come at Anfield.
Liverpool have not looked so convincing in their opening two fixtures.
In each of those games, they threw away a two-goal lead, before beating Bournemouth and Newcastle United.
Of all the new signings Slot has added to his title-winning squad, only Hugo Ekitike has impressed so far, scoring twice in two matches.
Jeremie Frimpong is out injured, Florian Wirtz is struggling with the pace of English football and Milos Kerkez looks shaky at left-back.
So, if they want to make a big statement to the rest of their rivals about their intentions to retain their crown, this is the game to do it.
Liverpool have to bring their A-game against Arsenal. The Gunners are now the only team yet to concede in the league and they are an eternal threat on setpieces on the other end.
One or both teams will lose their perfect start to the campaign. But more importantly, the side that takes a better result from the game, would have laid an early marker in the title race.
