Alan Smith: Mikel Arteta’s chance to show Arsenal are closing gap to rivals

Some stats are misleading, others tell the truth. A well-known one about Arsenal shines a harsh light on a longstanding weakness.

Gunners fans don’t need reminding that it’s been more than five-and-a-half years since their team won a Premier League away game against a top-six club.

That’s not bad luck. It’s about poor organisation and a soft underbelly, which led to some embarrassing scorelines over that time.

One thing I think we can guarantee tonight is that Mikel Arteta’s side will be armed with a solid game plan that commands respect.

It might not be enough to beat Liverpool, but you would expect it to be able to at least compete in a way that proved beyond previous sides.

In truth, this isn’t about beating the champions, though that would obviously be nice. It’s more about closing the huge gap in quality that has opened up, one that amounted to a 43-point difference in the Premier League come the end of last season.

Quite a challenge, that, but Arteta has it in him to chip away at that lead as the campaign progresses.

As for tonight, he will be keen to avoid the mistakes made last time, when Liverpool kept nicking the ball off Unai Emery’s side in the final third.

There’s a time to play it short and a time to avoid Jurgen Klopp’s aggressive press.

Striking the right balance forms a key part in any success the visitors glean.

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