Arsenal travel to Anfield to face Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday evening with a chance to leapfrog the Reds in the table.
After 11 games, the two sides sit 4th and 5th two points apart, although the gap between the sides is far greater than the table suggests.
Arsenal have scored 13 and conceded 13 goals this season, after a turbulent start and an uptick in form since August.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are scoring for fun, leading the Premier League with 31 goals scored, whilst also conceding 2 fewer goals than Arsenal in the process.
The Reds lead the league in shots and shots on target, with Mo Salah scoring 10 with 7 assists through the opening 11 games - arguably performing as the best player in the world this season with a catalogue of exquisite goals along the way.
As a result, it is hard to evaluate what Arsenal should be aiming for in this game.
On the one hand, they are 2 points off Liverpool after 11 games. Why should the Gunners be fearful? They have been the best team in the Premier League since August and Liverpool are coming off a loss from their last match.
A trip to Anfield represents a chance to test where Arsenal are. Are they a team challenging for top 4 against Manchester United and West Ham? Or are they a team that should be considered favourites for top 4, and even capable of displacing Liverpool en route?
Whilst it can be argued that Arsenal have had an easy run of late, they have dealt with what has been in front of them well.
On the other hand, it is difficult to see Arsenal impressing in a fixture that has been unfavourable to them in recent years. The last 5 games at Anfield between the two sides in the Premier League have ended 3-1, 4-0, 5-1, 3-1 and most recently 3-1, all in Liverpool's favour.
It is a torrid fixture for the Gunners, and even with form on their side, another defeat looks inevitable.
Arsenal's former set-piece coach Andreas Georgson recently spoke to The Athletic about the importance of looking beyond the result of games, that we need to acknowledge the randomness within football and analyse development first and for most. It speaks to the old adage "the results will come."
These sentiments feel particularly true this weekend. If Arsenal are to lose, they need to lose in the best way possible.
The Gunners need to restrict Liverpool's wingers, doubling up if needed. They need to show resilience during difficult periods of the game when they are penned into their own third. They need to press with purpose. They need to counter effectively in order to both provide a threat and alleviate pressure.
If those aspects are carried out well then Arsenal can leave happy regardless of the result.
Thomas Partey is in contention to play the game, and should he be fully fit he will reclaim his place in midfield.
Given the intensity of Liverpool, and the likelihood that Arsenal will need to defend deep in their own half for periods during the game, moving away from the 4-4-2 would make sense in order to add another body to midfield and man mark Fabinho, Liverpool's main out ball. It would also give Arsenal another route through midfield when they do have possession.
Martin Ødegaard is the obvious choice to come in given his familiarity in the role as well as his technical security and ball retention, something which has been hit and miss with Alexandre Lacazette.
Despite Nuno Tavares' good form, it would be a surprise if Kieran Tierney does not take back the starting left back spot given his all-round solidity.
It will be particularly interesting to focus on how Arsenal build attacks in this game. Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are renowned for their gegenpressing system which forces turnovers in the opposition third to create quick, lethal counter attacks led by the forwards.
Arsenal invested a significant amount of money in the summer to sign Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu, as well as signing Gabriel the year before. Arteta wants his side to play out and has bought the players to do so. This will be a great measure of how well Arsenal can build attacks against one of the best pressing teams in the world.
Whilst it is expected that Liverpool will have the majority of the play, Arsenal should have opportunities to launch their own incisive counter attacks, as they did against the likes of Leicester and Tottenham earlier in the season.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson will push high and wide during Liverpool's attacking phase, so if Arsenal can get Saka and Smith Rowe in behind them during the transition, they will get some joy in the final third.
Whilst it feels defeatist to say this game is more about the performance from Arsenal, a competitive game, regardless of result, will indicate a step forward for the Gunners due to how one-sided this fixture has been in recent times.
It will be a huge test for Arsenal, but it is also a huge opportunity to show what this team is all about.
Prediction:
Liverpool 2 - 1 Arsenal
Adam Perry - 19/11/2021