New Liverpool man James Milner was linked with a move to Emirates Stadium before signing for the Merseyside club this summer, but will travel to play at Arsenal on Monday.

The England midfielder joined Liverpool on a free this summer after his Manchester City contract expired, and the huge wage offer from the Reds seemingly put Arsenal off considering an approach.

With Jordan Henderson an injury doubt Milner may even captain Liverpool for the first time,  and knows his side will be in for a tough game as they, and Arsenal, face their first huge test of the new season.

“It will be a tough game. They (Arsenal) look sharp,” he said. Milner has ended up on the winning side in just four of his 25 career appearances against Arsène Wenger’s men, scoring once.

“They had a disappointing result in their first game (against West Ham United) but they are a quality team and will want to bounce back from that and try to get their run going.”

Arsenal responded well to the defeat to West Ham by winning the crucial second game of the season last Sunday. As Liverpool travel to London there are few excuses for an Arsenal side that has had over a week of rest.

Against Bournemouth on Monday evening Liverpool looked susceptible to fast attacks and set-pieces, much like last season, but the visitors struggled to get at Brendan Rodgers’ side often enough to cause them too many issues.

The only goal scored by Bournemouth at Anfield was chalked off for a harsh foul, helping Liverpool preserve their record of keeping a clean sheet in each of the two games so far this season.

“We have defended well in the first two games of the season and we’re going to need to do that there,” said Milner. Arsenal scored four times against Liverpool in the last meeting between the two sides and they will definitely have to defend better than they did that day to take anything out of the game.

“But if we can keep improving and keep clean sheets, we have quality going forward.”

That much is arguable. Roberto Firmino is yet to be trusted with a start since his move from TSG Hoffenheim and Jordon Ibe has struggled to make an impression. So far this season Liverpool’s goals have been from a speculative effort and a tap-in that should have been ruled out for offside.

That’s not to say there isn’t quality going forward but it isn’t scary, unlike when Raheem Sterling and Luis Suárez were at the club. Daniel Sturridge remains injured, Christian Benteke may yet prove to be a waste of money, and the attacking players at the club are yet to click.

Hopefully that remains the case on Monday evening.