MIKEL ARTETA said it is hammer time for Arsenal in their bid to stop Liverpool from running away with the Premier League title.
The Gunners will head into their New Year’s Day fixture at Brentford nine points adrift of Arne Slot’s rampant Reds.
Liverpool, who put five past West Ham in their last match, have won 14 of their 18 fixtures so far, placing them as the clear favourites to roar to championship glory.
But Arteta has not given up hope of reeling Liverpool back in to avoid finishing as runners-up for a third consecutive season.
Asked how hard it will be to catch Slot’s men, Arteta replied: “We have to continue to be like a hammer, be there every day, and if someone wins all the matches then we congratulate them and then go to the next season.
“But if they don’t — and in history that hasn’t happened — then we will be there.”
Arsenal are bidding to win their first title in two decades without Bukayo Saka after the club’s star winger was ruled out until at least March with a hamstring injury.
The diagnosis is set to see Saka miss at least nine more Premier League matches as well as Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester United, and their two-legged semi-final Carabao Cup clash with Newcastle.
Saka’s absence, coupled with a knee injury for Raheem Sterling, is likely to see Leandro Trossard handed an extended run on Arsenal’s left-hand side, with Gabriel Martinelli switching wings to fill Saka’s void.
Trossard, 30, has been in and out of Arteta’s team since his move from Brighton two years ago, and the Gunners boss continued: “He’s a really good character, but they all want to play.
“Leo has shown a lot more consistency in the last 12 months, but he has had a lot of competition in his position. Raise the level, and if he plays at that level then he will play like anyone else.
“He has the capacity to do something special in the final third. He’s played as a left winger, as an attacking midfielder, he’s played as a nine and he’s a player that I value a lot, we value a lot because he’s very versatile and very competitive and he’s a massive goal threat for the team.
“Leo naturally is a bit of a moaner but I like that because he’s very competitive and you have training sessions, he’s always busy with the referee’s decision because he wants to win.
“He always wants to be the best and when he’s not there, he’s not happy. But that’s what pushes him. That’s where he comes in the pitch, he can make an impact because he’s got that drive, that anger which says, ‘I’m gonna show you’, and I love that about him.”
He’ll be eating a lot of shots that’s for sure
There is nothing subtle about Alvarez’s striking either, he tries overwhelm opponents as opposed to picking his shots like McGregor.
Boxing wise McGregor is streets ahead of him in speed and accuracy. Throw in a longer reach for Conor and extremely good fluid movement and it’s gonna be a tough day at the office for Alvarez if he stands toe to toe
Of course he will wrestle, he doesn’t want a striking match to break out.
I think your wrong, Alvarez can stand with the best of them & it’s his unstoppable flurrys after he catches you that Conor should be worried about more then his wrestling.
Alvarez swings from the hip. He’ll have his chin cracked if he attempts to bang with somebody of mcgreggors calibre.
I think Conor’s reach and movement will nullify Alvarez’s wrestling for the most part, Conor will hurt him in the opening rounds and Eddie will overcommit running forward and winging shots and will get knocked out/tko… Alvarez is a slightly better version of Mendez, the win over a poor Pettis and RDS have flattered him..
Also Diaz has a 7inch longer reach than Alvarez, and probably 40ish pounds more fight weight and couldn’t knock mcgregor down.. Mcgregor has much better take down defense since the Mendez fight too..
Y’ll do nuttin
He’ll be shooting for his life.. Chad style
He must have talking to Donald Trump. “Make UFC great again”. And he THINKS he’s going to land big shots!THINKS,REALLY? Mcgregor will batter him.
This champ deserves respect.. I hope he does not land some of his big punches.
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