How Arsenal can end Anfield hoodoo against Liverpool

One of the biggest fixtures this weekend sees Arsenal head to Liverpool on Sunday in the hopes of keeping a firm grip on the Premier League title race.

However, there's also a very unwanted record bothering them.

Anfield is a ground Arsenal have found it incredibly tough to win at over the years and there's a feeling there may be no better chance to put an end to that terrible run than right now, given the Gunners are eight points clear at the top and Liverpool have struggled all season. Jurgen Klopp's side are in eighth place coming into the weekend.

Here's a look at the poor run of results Arsenal have suffered at Anfield in detail and how they can bring it to an end on Sunday.

Arsenal's record at Anfield

Arsenal have not been able to win at Anfield for over a decade now; in fact, it has been 3,867 days and counting since their last win at Liverpool's home ground. It came on 2 September 2012 as the Gunners won 2-0 with goals from Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski in each half. A nice novelty is that the same two players assisted each other's goals.

Since then, it has been an incredibly tough place for Arsenal to go, even in seasons where they were a much better team than the Reds. They did manage to win a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw in the Carabao Cup in 2020, though. The table below shows their record at Anfield since the last victory in 2012.

Two things really stand out from that list. One is there have been some very entertaining and high-scoring draws down the years, and another is how Arsenal are very susceptible to a battering at the hands of Liverpool.

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How can Arsenal beat Liverpool at Anfield this time?

It may seem overly simplistic, but based on their performances so far this season, Arsenal just need to focus on their own game and make sure they get their own basics right on Sunday. They are a better team than Liverpool this season and they need to act like it.

Starting the game in a timid fashion with the poor Anfield record in their minds will likely only give Liverpool a chance of grabbing the first goal. If Arsenal can get ahead in the first 15 to 20 minutes, their superiority should quickly silence any atmosphere at Anfield which has been the undoing for the Gunners over the years.

An area of weakness for Liverpool this season has been the form of Trent Alexander-Arnold and it may not be the worst idea for Arsenal to focus their attacks down his side of the pitch. Gabriel Martinelli could give Alexander-Arnold a serious runaround and create space in other areas for the likes of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.

Approaching the game as if it is at the Emirates will surprise Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp's side still have players that can hurt any defence and giving them time and space on the ball from the off will likely backfire on Mikel Arteta. With Virgil van Dijk expected back in the defence, being clinical will also be very important for Arsenal which is where Gabriel Jesus comes in. Arsenal can not afford to pass up on big chances.

By starting on the front foot, even if the game becomes stretched and there are chances at both end, Arsenal showed in the 3-2 win at the Emirates earlier this season that they can outscore Liverpool in such a contest.

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On this edition of The Chronicles of a Gooner, part of the 90min podcast network, Harry Symeou reacts to Arsenal 4-1 Leeds United in the Premier League. Gabriel Jesus picked a great time to rediscover his goalscoring form!

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