Premier League 2025-26: Arsenal have a point to prove against Liverpool, says Arteta

Premier League leaders Arsenal have «a point to prove» when they face Liverpool, manager Mikel Arteta said on Wednesday as the north London club look to maintain its dominant lead at the top.

Arsenal have 48 points from 20 games, six points ahead of Manchester City, while they boast an unbeaten record at home, winning 14 of 15 games in all competitions this season.

But Liverpool also have extra motivation in the match at the Emirates Stadium after Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season with a 1-0 win at Anfield in August.

«We are very excited. It’s a huge game against the champions… We have a point to prove, we are going to make sure our crowd creates a great atmosphere,» Arteta told reporters ahead of Thursday’s match.

«We are at the top of the table, we are playing against a very good opponent at home. We want to maintain our position. To do that, we will have to be excellent throughout the match. That is the point we have to prove.»

ARTETA BANKING AT EMIRATES STADIUM ⁠CROWD

Arteta is counting on Arsenal’s faithful to provide the crucial lead against Liverpool.

«They have been incredible again this season. It makes such a difference. We are becoming a different team. The level of energy, dedication, confidence and desire is transmitted from them. We need them tomorrow,» Arteta said.

«There’s nothing like it. You become a different player. Your emotional status is better, your level is better, your self-confidence is better. They encourage you to perform actions with aggression, with a lot of determination, and it lifts the whole team.»

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Reigning champions Liverpool are fourth with 34 points and have struggled for form and consistency this season, but Arteta is not taking Arne Slot’s side lightly, saying they are still a ‘fantastic team’ but have been plagued by injuries.

FINALLY A ‘GREAT MANAGER’

«Liverpool have a great manager. They have a sensational structural understanding of what they need to do in relation to other players they select in the line-up tomorrow,» Arteta said.

“They can play in different ways because that makes it a little bit different and specific to what we can expect tomorrow. And we have to be aware of that and focus on what we have to do.

«We want to win every match. The most important one is tomorrow. We know what we have to do to beat them, now we have to prove it on the pitch.»

Arteta said defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori remain sidelined while still keeping an eye on Kai Havertz’s job as the German forward returns from injury.

«He trained again this morning. Hopefully we will have him available soon and the best version of Kai,» said the coach.

Published on January 7, 2026