The faltering champions meet the in-form challengers on Thursday evening, as Arsenal welcome Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium for a Premier League blockbuster.

After falling to a last kick of the game defeat against Aston Villa on 6 December, Arsenal have gone on to record seven wins on the bounce in all competitions.

His comments highlight how results in major league matches can shape belief across multiple competitions. For Liverpool, a win would reinforce their credentials despite recent inconsistency. For Arsenal, victory would further strengthen their position at the summit and underline their determination to turn promise into a title-winning campaign.

And that’s why the FA Cup third round clash against Barnsley on January 12 is now shaping up to be a pivotal moment.