Mikel Arteta says Arsenal can “silence” Anfield by being dominant, as he urged his side to end their 11-year wait for a win at Liverpool.
Arsenal go into their top-of-the-table clash on Merseyside just one point ahead of Liverpool.
The Gunners have not won at Anfield since 2012, when Arteta was playing, and Jurgen Klopp has called on Liverpool fans to bring the noise on Saturday.
Arteta is predicting “a great atmosphere” and has challenged Arsenal to manage the “emotional state” of the game.
“You have to play better than them,” he said. “You will silence the crowd if you are dominant and better than them, just like in any other ground. There is no difference.
“It’s going to be a great atmosphere. The two teams are in a really good moment, really good position, really strong position.
“There are certain things obviously, that we have to manage better and the emotional state is something that is crucial when you play against big opponents away.
“The way we’re going to prepare the game is to do what we need to do to beat them and to focus on our supporters as well. I’m sure a lot of them will be travelling tomorrow to help the team.
“For this group of players now this is the third, fourth time that they have been there (Anfield). A few years ago, it was the first time for most of them and maybe you have to clarify and explain certain things. I don’t think that is necessary now.”
Arsenal have claimed some big scalps under Arteta, beating Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League in 2020 for the first time since 2006.
The Gunners also beat Manchester City earlier this season, earning their first League win over them since 2015.
“We have done it at Old Trafford, we have done it at Stamford Bridge and many other places where we haven’t done it for years,” said Arteta.
“This is the next challenge. Go there and win. If you want to be at the top you have to go to those places and be dominant. That’s what we’re going to try to do.
“We are going to have to suffer. In every game you have to suffer and how you go through these moments together. How you overcome those moments is a big thing.”
