(Reuters) – Neither Arsenal nor Liverpool would have preferred to face each other in the third round of the FA Cup, but Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta sees the match as the start of another successful run in the competition. In his first season with Arsenal in 2019-20, Arteta won the FA Cup, defeating Manchester City and Chelsea to claim the trophy and secure the club’s 14th title. Liverpool, on the other hand, has won the cup eight times.
Arteta expressed his excitement for the upcoming game against the Premier League leaders, following a thrilling 1-1 draw between the two sides at Anfield just before Christmas. “We have a great history in this competition with our two clubs. We have a big opponent to start with and again make another beautiful journey,” Arteta told reporters. He also acknowledged that the draw forces them to face each other despite both teams possibly hoping for a different outcome.
Arsenal, who were at the top of the table at Christmas, have now dropped to fourth place due to a recent dip in form. Criticism has been directed at the lack of goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, and Martin Odegaard. In the previous season, Martinelli and Odegaard were the top scorers for the club with 15 league goals, while Saka contributed 14 goals and 11 assists. However, this season, the trio has only managed to score a combined 12 goals so far.
Arteta emphasized the challenge of replicating such impressive numbers, stating that improving the execution in every part of the field is essential. The coach also addressed the issue of injuries and players being away on international duty, with the Arsenal squad stretched thin, particularly in the full-back positions.
Regarding the January transfer window, Arteta mentioned the possibility of not signing new recruits, emphasizing the need to make the most of the current squad. He added, “We are open to the transfer market but the emphasis is on making the most of what we have. We’ll work with the club to see if we have any options.”
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis)
