Mikel Arteta keen to avoid another touchline spat with Jurgen Klopp
By Tom Gott
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confessed he plans to approach Sunday's meeting with Liverpool in a different manner so as to avoid another clash on the touchline with Jurgen Klopp.
After making his side train with You'll Never Walk Alone blaring around the training ground in November 2021, Arteta watched on as Arsenal were comfortably dispatched 4-0 in a fiery affair which saw Arteta and Klopp both booked for a heated confrontation in the first half.
Ahead of Sunday's huge game, Arteta admitted he will do what he can to ensure he retains his composure.
"That’s football," said Arteta as he reflected on his clash with Klopp. "It happens in football and after that we hugged each other and moved on.
"The last time we were together nothing happened. I have full respect and admiration for what they’ve done. We’ve moved on.
READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS HERE
feed
"I reacted to defend our players the best possible way but I don’t like seeing myself like this so hopefully not."
Anfield has been a nightmare destination for Arsenal in recent years. Indeed, Arteta was a player in the Gunners' lack win in Liverpool all the way back in 2012, and the boss admitted they will have to be at their best to end that hoodoo on Sunday.
"We have been at a few grounds we haven’t won at in 17, 22 and 18 years but we have managed to do that," Arteta explained. "We are capable of doing it.
"We know we are going to have to be at our very best to win the game and certainly better than we were there last year when we just opened up and allowed Liverpool to attack open spaces in a really comfortable way."
LISTEN NOW
On this edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey, Toby Cudworth & Tom Gott discuss Chelsea's decision to sack Graham Potter, Man City and Real Madrid's interest in Josko Gvardiol, the futures of William Saliba, Kai Havertz, Randal Kolo Muani & more!
If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!