Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool’s vice-captain, recognises the notable improvement in Arsenal‘s performances this season, attributing this to the influential contributions of new signings like Declan Rice.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Liverpool vice-captain, has acknowledged Arsenal‘s improved performance this season, crediting new signings like Declan Rice for elevating the team.
Speaking ahead of the crucial Premier League clash, Alexander-Arnold pointed out that Arsenal‘s method of securing victories has evolved, contrasting it with Liverpool‘s more varied paths to wins, including last-minute goals (which Arsenal have also enjoyed) and victories despite being down to ten men.
He specifically mentioned Declan Rice, who has been influential in changing Arsenal‘s style, emphasising Rice’s role in breaking up play and advancing the team, often doing the critical but less glamorous tasks on the field.
“Whether it is him (Rice) or how they adapted, I feel they have gone up a level this season,” said Alexander-Arnold.
“They’re very consistent and they are winning in a controlled manner. It is different to how we are winning a lot of games. A couple of our games have been last minute, or down to ten men, winning in different ways.
“It feels like they are winning in a different way. He has been a big part of that. I have shared the pitch with him with England and know what he offers and brings to a team. You can see it in how he plays; breaking up the play, getting the team up the pitch and a lot of the dirty work.”
Alexander-Arnold drew parallels between the current Arsenal squad and Liverpool‘s team before they clinched their first Premier League title.
He reflected on Liverpool‘s narrow miss against Manchester City and suggested that such experiences are vital in learning how to win.
Arsenal, he believes, are applying lessons from last season to their current campaign, which is evident in their consistency and position near the top of the table.
“They are a young, exciting team who last year probably lacked experience winning, more than anything,” he said. “That’s quite similar to what we were in that season when we were nipped to it by City by one point.
“Those experiences teach you a lot. It teaches you how to win. They will be bringing that from last season and it is showing in their consistency. They deserve to be near the top. So do we. It will be an exciting game.”
Regarding the title race, Alexander-Arnold remarked that while teams like Arsenal and Manchester City were ahead last season, other teams are now in contention, including Aston Villa, due to their impressive performances.
He anticipates that Manchester City will soon hit their stride and dominate as they usually do, but also recognises that Arsenal have likely learned from their previous errors.
“Arsenal and City kind of ran away this time last season,” he said. “No-one else could keep up the pace. Our sights going into this season was to be in and around. So far, we have done that. Of those at the top, different teams have different qualities.
“We all know what City are like. In a couple of weeks they will probably click into gear and win every game until the end of the season. So we know that is coming as usual. Arsenal will have learned from the games when they dropped points at the end of last season.
“For us it is about being in and around it, getting in a good position like we are now and staying as close as possible; get through the festive period, get through January and head into the next international race still in a title race. It is hard to see a finish line right now.
“I think as hard as it is – and it is very hard – you can’t get too emotional, too excited and too down about results. Games come thick and fast. You can flip again like that (clicks fingers). A bad result one week may not cost you because the teams around can drop points.
“Just focus on yourselves. That is the main thing we have learned. As long as we are winning our games it doesn’t really matter what the other teams are doing. Everyone will drop points between now and the end of the season and we just have to make sure we are in the right position and drop the least.”