Arsène Wenger needs to ensure the Gunners get a fast start against Liverpool on Friday, or the stats suggest they’ll be punished.

Before the league game against West Ham, David Moyes talked about the importance of an early goal against Arsenal. The Gunners conceded early on against Southampton and Manchester United, and couldn’t turn the game around on either occasion.

Fortunately, Wenger’s men didn’t make the same mistake at the London Stadium.

However, it’s even more important to start well against Liverpool. Only Manchester City have a better record away from home in terms of scoring first, and the Reds haven’t lost a single game when they’ve done so.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have failed to win five out of their seven matches when an opponent has opened the scoring.

That’s in stark contrast to the Gunners’ eight wins in nine when they’re the side to get the first goal.

The statistics aren’t really surprising.

Arsenal and Liverpool both play some of their best football on the counter-attack, and it’s much easier to play counter-attacking football with a lead.

The Gunners can’t give their opponents the chance to play like that, if they want to win making the opening 20 minutes key.