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Mikel Arteta has compared playing Liverpool away to being stuck in a ‘washing machine’ as Arsenal look to break their Anfield hoodoo.
The Gunners can expect a febrile atmosphere after Jurgen Klopp issued a rallying cry for Reds fans to up the ante for Saturday’s match.
In recent times, Arsenal have capitulated twice there. In November 2021, the Gunners were playing well until Arteta got into a row with Klopp which fired up the crowd up and resulted in a 4-0 loss.
The north London club have not beaten the Merseyside team away from home in the league since September 2012.
Mikel Arteta has compared playing Liverpool at Anfield to being stuck in a ‘washing machine’
Arsenal have capitaulated at Anfield before, with a clash between Granit Xhaka and Trent Alexander-Arnold sparking a comeback from the Reds to halt the Gunners’ title charge
Arteta said: ‘It is (Anfield) different, different like Old Trafford. Old Trafford has a beautiful atmosphere as well and something that historically is an unbelievable place to go. There are a few in this country.
‘You have to go to these stadiums and you have to prove as a team what you are capable of.
‘Sometimes when you don’t feel at your best you feel that they are on top of you, and you cannot get out of that washing machine. You try to overcome those situations but that’s learning – it happened once and it didn’t happen again.’
When asked on how his players can avoid getting in the ‘washing machine’ in the first place, he said: ‘(Follow) the game-plan and everything that we discussed to try to be away from that game, and put on our washing machine that is very powerful.
‘The emotional state is something that is crucial when you play against big opponents away.’
The club issued a statement on Friday morning rejecting involvement in the revised European Super League (ESL) proposal, with Arteta saying it is important to ‘look after fans’.
On Thursday the European Court of Justice said banning clubs from joining the ESL was unlawful and a revamped league was proposed hours later.
Arteta wants his side to prove they can compete with the best teams away from home
Yet, the Gunners a 52-word statement joining Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Manchester United in confirming their commitment to UEFA competitions.
He added : ‘Whatever the decision of any club, the soul of this game belongs to the supporters as they make this possible and then it is the players.
‘Look after those two in the best possible way. That is our big responsibility and our duty. Every decision has to be focused on those two aspects, and then have a game that promotes integrity and the beauty of the game.’
He confirmed Thomas Partey is ‘finalising his rehab’ and has yet to train with the team.
