Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta raring to go back to Liverpool 18 months after 4-0 humiliation

Mikel Arteta has urged his Arsenal players to embrace the moment and ‘go for it’ as they take their title charge to the Anfield ‘jungle’.

The league leaders can take another huge step towards glory with victory over Liverpool on Sunday. Arteta insists his side now have the belief to win the title, but first they must end another hoodoo and secure a first win at Anfield in 11 years.

Last season, the Spaniard prepared his players for the ground’s famous atmosphere by blasting You’ll Never Walk Alone out of speakers during training. They went on to be battered 4-0, prompting ridicule of Arteta’s quirky methods.

But he defended himself on Friday, saying: ‘You cannot train the players in the zoo and then go to the jungle on Sunday. It’s impossible.’

When it was suggested the manager might be creating problems in his players’ minds, he explained: ‘If you want to isolate only a context that is about an atmosphere you’re going to live in, then they should not shoot on goal.

The Gunners were beaten 4-0 away, to Liverpool last season despite Arteta’s unusual tactics

‘Because if they have to shoot on goal on Sunday, don’t shoot on goal on Thursday just in case you miss. You have to prepare the players, you have to tell them what they’re going to be facing and you have to recognise that.’

On the criticism that followed, he added: ‘It’s incredible if you win. If you lose it’s terrible. Tomorrow if we play with a back six, if we win: “Magician”. If not it’s, “What the hell are you doing? Why did you change things?”’

Arteta was in the Arsenal midfield when they last won a Premier League game at Anfield in 2012. 

Arsenal stars have been gearing up for a huge match against Liverpool on Sunday

Arteta takes on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at Anfield, where the hosts have dominated meetings

They have taken only two points from their last nine visits and since Jurgen Klopp took charge eight years ago, the aggregate score on Merseyside reads: Liverpool 25 Arsenal 7. But Arteta says his side must relish the challenge ahead.

‘We have to enjoy it and we really need to embrace the moment and go for it,’ he said.

‘We know that we have a big challenge but it is a big opportunity to go to Anfield and do something we haven’t done in many years and that is what is driving the team.

‘We are capable of doing it. We know we will have to be at our very best to win — certainly better than we were there last year.’