Arsenal's critics are lazy and a win over Liverpool would be a statement, but defeat could knock them out of the title race.
Arsenal may not be firing on all cylinders like they have in the last two seasons, but it is ridiculous to suggest they are now a boring and uninspiring team.
This is how Liverpool's cult hero sees it danny murphywho defended the Gunners from their critics ahead of Sunday's crunch clash against the Reds.
Mikel ArtetaGermany's men sit third in the standings, four points behind Arne Slot's rampant team, having won five of their first eight matches.
After the October international break, Bournemouth inflicted ArsenalThe first defeat of the season, before the north Londoners recorded a 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
And their preparations to face Liverpool have been shaken by the fact that they could be left without five key players in Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori.
This could see Arteta forced to reorganization both their defense and their midfield against a Liverpool that has won 11 of 12 games this season.
Arsenal have already had to deal with a number of key absences this campaign, hampering their attacking ability, while red cards picked up by Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and Saliba have forced them to adopt a more defensive approach, resulting in which resulted in the return of “boring” players. The boring screams of Arsenal.
It's a view that has been criticized by talkSPORT pundit Murphy, who has highlighted why they may have looked less pleasing to the eye so far this season, despite being just three points down at this stage compared to the last year.
When asked by Jim White if Arsenal are “functional” at present, Murphy replied: “No, it's just a bit of a lazy analysis on the part of whoever's talking about it, they scored 91 goals last season, they were only beaten by Manchester City (96).
“They flowed freely and scored a lot of goals in a lot of games and looked like a very creative and good team.
“In the last two games there has been a bit of lethargy, a bit of boredom if you will, they haven't had Odegaard for a long time, who is their main creator.
“And Saka too, whose goals and assists are always at the top (of the charts) for Arsenal, has missed games.
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“And we also have to take into account that in the three games in which they have had expulsions, they have had to defend, they cannot flow freely or attack.
“They will score a lot of goals and win a lot of games, I have no doubt about that, he (Arteta) has not changed the style of last season, they have just had to adapt because in certain games he lost a man.
“And if you lose your two most creative players in the final third, you won't be as good.
“The reality is that when Man City went half a season without (Erling) Haaland and (Kevin) De Bruyne, they still win the league, and that's what everyone else competes with.
“Because when Haaland doesn't play for three months, they still win every game, when De Bruyne is absent for half a season, they put Bernardo Silva, (Ilkay) Gundogan, (Phil) Foden in that position, whoever, and they continue to produce.
“Foden became their man last season because De Bruyne wasn't there, Arsenal need someone to step up, and I'm not sure, if Odegaard and Saka are out for a long time then there could be a problem” .
Meanwhile, former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan declared that an Arsenal victory over Liverpool with their depleted squad would send an important warning to their top-flight rivals.
He commented: “People will see this Arsenal game at the weekend as potentially a statement game, Liverpool beating Chelsea, was it a statement game?
“Because ultimately the accusations that Liverpool haven't beaten anyone yet in this run of form they're on is a false representation of where they could be if they play the top teams.
“Well look, Arsenal are playing Liverpool on Sunday, if Liverpool went to Arsenal and handed it over, I think there is a challenge for Arsenal next season, because I think it will be a declared victory.
“They are making their way in this Champions League, the result against PSG was a good result, they drew with Atalanta 0-0 and fought against Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0.
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“But it doesn't really matter, right? They're getting results, they're getting results.”
Murphy then admitted that if Arsenal were missing their five key players, Liverpool would have the advantage, while Stuart Pearce believes an Arsenal defeat could already leave them out of the title race.
Speaking on Drive, co-host Andy Goldstein asked Pearce if it is too early to discuss whether an Arsenal defeat would end their hopes.
To which he stated: “No, I think it's a pertinent question when you consider what City are doing, and by getting a late winner at Wolverhampton and crossing the line when you thought they might drop points, they found a way with ten seconds left. “. go win the game.
“And I think City will have Brentford (Southampton) at home at the weekend, so they will love their chances of getting three points where their two rivals are playing each other, so someone has to drop points.
“I don't think against City you can afford to lose too many points. I gave Arsenal the league victory at the beginning of the year, I think there is still a long way to go.”
But the England icon finally admitted: “The football club has the right man in charge, so where is the panic? Injuries can't be avoided.”
Arsenal fans love a collapse, and with clashes against Newcastle and Chelsea following Liverpool, Arteta knows that defeat to the Reds will only intensify the unfair negativity surrounding the club.
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