Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has highlighted how Mikel Arteta can set his side up to tear Liverpool 'to shreds' on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners come into the game against the Reds top of the Premier League table as they continue to fight with Manchester City and Tottenham. Liverpool have only won two games so far this season as with the Reds languishing down in ninth, 11 points behidn the north London outfit.
Jurgen Klopp has been full of praise for Arsenal ahead of the clash, identifying Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey as the key threats on Sunday. Arteta admitted his team are still a 'work in progress' but it could be the best opportunity in recent memory for the Gunners to pick up a vital win against Liverpool.
READ MORE: Arsenal can repeat Gabriel Jesus transfer trick with Man United signing amid Juventus links
Writing in his column for the Daily Star, Merson believes his former side could tear Liverpool 'to shreds' and overrun the Reds in midfield. The ex-Arsenal midfielder wrote: "If Liverpool stick with the 4-2-3-1 system they played against Rangers at Arsenal this weekend, then Jurgen Klopp's side will get ripped to shreds.
"They've got no legs in midfield with just Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara. Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard are part of the reason why Arsenal have been so good this season. They've been sensational."
It remains to be seen whether summer signing Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota or Roberto Firmino start in attack for the visitors, with William Saliba set for yet another tough test to prove himself as a top defender in the Premier League. Merson continued: "Darwin Nunez was much better but I expect Roberto Firmino and Fabinho to come back in against the Gunners.
"It's a game for me that Liverpool can't lose because if they do, Arsenal take them out of the equation. They'll be 14 points clear, meaning even with their game in hand, Liverpool would have to win four matches that Arsenal don't.
"I just can't see it happening particularly on the basis of recent form. Liverpool simply cannot afford to lose and that sounds ridiculous after only playing seven matches so far this season but it's the truth."
READ NEXT:
Why Mikel Arteta got angry with Fabio Vieira as Arsenal standards fail to satisfy
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Klopp's comments, Saliba vs Van Dijk and Arsenal's united fans
Bukayo Saka contract delay, William Saliba boost, Arsenal's Zinchenko fitness doubt vs Liverpool
Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli new Arsenal contract stance explained
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
