Gary Neville pinpoints major Arsenal problem as Mikel Arteta given simple Liverpool gameplan

Gary Neville has encouraged Arsenal to relish the underdog status ahead of their clash against Liverpool. Mikel Arteta will lock horns with Arne Slot at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, knowing a win could prove decisive in the Premier League title race.

Last weekend, the Gunners were defeated by Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium while the Reds clambered to victory against Chelsea at Anfield. Arsenal and Liverpool both enjoyed wins in the Champions League during the week.

The north Londoners' extra day of rest could be game-changing, with several players nursing injuries. While it remains to be seen whether or not Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori will be fit to face the Reds, William Saliba has been ruled out due to suspension.

Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of Leicester City's match against Nottingham Forest, Gary Neville was quizzed on Arsenal's numerous absentees. The Manchester United legend said: "That's been the sort of narrative this week, hasn't it.

"Arsenal, to be fair, aren't contributing to that – Mikel Arteta, his coaching staff or the players. But they can't let that noise get into their heads. They have to really think about going out there on Sunday. We had a debate about this the other day.

"Can Arsenal afford to see Liverpool go seven points clear at 18:30 on Sunday evening? They just can't. That's not because they can't get that back up over a season, but we're talking about a team that are trying to make that final step to winning a league."

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Neville added: "And I think if you've got three or four players missing, this would be the best time for them to go win on Sunday. The best time to go and shock everybody. It wouldn't be a surprise Arsenal winning but, because the players that are out, there is something building that, 'oh, Liverpool are favourites'.

"Go and shock us. Do something. Go and play and basically get get within one point of Liverpool. And all of a sudden things change again. So, that for me, is where the game is for Arsenal. For Liverpool, they can afford to let the crowd get a little bit nervy and sit back for 25, 30 minutes because they're good defensively."

Arsenal sit third in the Premier League, four points behind Liverpool in first. If the Gunners lose this weekend and the teams around them waltz away victorious, they could slip out of the top four.