Arsenal legend Ian Wright has insisted that the Gunners must beat Liverpool on Sunday to prove they are "serious" about competing for the Premier League title.
Mikel Arteta's men sit top of the table, having emerged as the surprise frontrunners this season. They are one point clear of second-placed Manchester City after the first eight games of the campaign, having lost just once.
Arguably their biggest test of the season so far will come on Sunday, when they host Liverpool at Emirates Stadium. The Reds have been City's closest challengers over recent years, but have endured a downturn in fortunes this term.
Despite that poor form, Wright still believes they will provide a stern test to the Gunners. The Highbury hero has also warned Arteta that his side must claim all three points if they have serious ambitions about winning their first title for 19 years.
"We [Arsenal] are trying to chase down City but all they can do is what they are doing now. Liverpool is going to be a big test because you saw against Manchester United a couple of mistakes and they were beaten," he told Premier League Productions.
"That’s how small the margins are. Liverpool, defensively, they can be got at, but can you sustain it against that team because Liverpool have got the type of players that offensively can hurt you.
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"I don't believe that Arsenal should go into that game feeling like, 'you're at home, you should be beating this Liverpool side the form they are in at the moment, that's how you should be approaching the game'.
"What I saw of Liverpool [against Brighton ], this is the time to play them. So Arsenal, with the belief, everyone is buzzing, no injuries at the moment, this is the type of game where, at home, they've got to go and beat Liverpool if we're serious about trying to get where we want to be, which is the top four and pushing Man City as much as you can."
The Gunners are arguably favourites going into the clash at the Emirates, with Liverpool already 11 points adrift of them. And Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted his team face a tough task amid their poor start to the season.
"I know then Arsenal is coming and we saw glimpses of their game against Tottenham. They are outstanding in the moment so that is obviously not an easy game. But we will give it a proper try," he said following the Reds' 3-3 draw with Brighton.
"I spoke to the boys in a similar way to how I speak to you. I don’t know how many times I have to say we need a reaction. It’s football and you have to accept it. On a day like this when it starts like this, it’s important to fight your way through.
"It would be nice if you could win it. We always have problems against Brighton who are a very good football team but we have to do better. I know we have 10 points and that’s the reality. I don’t hide from that. We have to go together and build."
