Arsenal can prove Wenger correct with Liverpool showdown at Anfield

Arsene Wenger may be proven right for believing his former club could be crowned champions this year. Speaking back in September when Arsenal were on top of the Premier League having won their opening six games, Wenger affirmed that the Gunners were in with a shot of going all the way.

Most branded the faultless start as ‘lucky’. Ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara even claimed that the side were ‘two injuries away from disaster’. However, the north Londoners have remained on top ever since and have continued to widen the gap.

“This season, from the start, there is no completely dominating team and Arsenal have a chance [of winning the title] because the potential is there,” Wenger told talkSPORT.

“Hopefully they can do it, at least to be in the top four. Why not?” he added. “I think you cannot even rule out the fact that they can fight for the title.”

At the time of writing Arsenal find themselves eight points clear of closest rivals Manchester City, though the Sky Blues also have a game in hand. Mikel Arteta has repeatedly told the media that he won’t allow the team to get ahead of themselves but there is a palpable buzz around the Emirates right now with only nine games to go until the season’s conclusion.

A win against Liverpool away on Saturday would do a lot to ease the nerves coming into a tough set of closing fixtures and lift hopes ahead of the crunch clash with City. Arsenal have not won at Liverpool since 2012 and so victory on Merseyside would be quite a statement. 

The recent return of Gabriel Jesus following four months on the sidelines has also helped. The Brazilian was the beating heart behind Arsenal’s high-tempo attacking football earlier in the season and although Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah have done well in filling the gap, there is no doubt the Gunners are a better team with him.

Two goals during last weekend’s 4-1 triumph over Leeds proved that, and his presence will be needed as the pressure begins to pile up in the season’s final few games.

Speaking about Jesus’ first Premier League start since returning from injury, Arteta said: “Delighted for him. They all were. We were all clapping for him. He’s been working so hard for the last four or five months with a lot of support from the team and the staff. Today he deserved the chance to start. He grabbed the opportunity with a lot of conviction and with two goals.”