Granit Xhaka is ready for Arsenal's acid test against Liverpool on Wednesday night – and claims it will be settled by “small details.”
The Gunners eased to a fifth consecutive Premier League win with a 2-0 success against Leicester on Sunday to strengthen their grip on a top-four finish.
Now they have a chance to avenge their Carabao Cup semi-final defeat by the Kop – a tie where Arsenal were undermined by Xhaka's red card in the first leg at Anfield.
But the Swiss midfielder has been a steadier influence on the Gunners' winning run, which has left them ahead of Manchester United, West Ham and Wolves, who have all played three games more.
Xhaka said: “Of course we are seeing the other results, but we are winning - that’s now five in a row - and we now have a big game on Wednesday against Liverpool.
“We knew this would be a key week for us before the international break. And let’s see on Wednesday, maybe we have to perform better than against Leicester.
“We know the quality they have. They are one of the best teams in the Premier League, maybe in Europe.
“In the end, I believe the small details will be the difference. We have to be focused over the 90 minutes, we have to finish the chances to score as quick as possible, but as well we have to be very compact.”
Arsenal's goals against Leicester were scored by Thomas Partey – only the £45 million midfielder's second for the club – and skipper Alexandre Lacazette's first since Boxing Day.
Lacazette has taken over the skipper's armband from outcast Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Xhaka insists the French striker's value to the side has not always been appreciated.
He said: “Sometimes people only notice if players score, but they don’t see how important he (Lacazette) is for us - not only on the pitch but as well off the pitch.
“He is an amazing player and he understands the game so good with the quality he has. I hope now after this four, five, six weeks they (people) understand how important he is for us.”
