'Somebody Has To Come And Take That Crown Away...', Says Arteta Ahead Of Liverpool Clash

Last Updated:August 29, 2025, 21:04 IST

Arsenal boss Arteta opined that the defending champions would be billed as the favourite, but it was up to the challenging clubs to knock the crown off the Reds.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. (AP Photo)

Arsenal take on holders Liverpool in a high-profile Premier League encounter on Sunday in a game that could prove to be the difference in the long run in the English top-flight.

Ahead of the top-of-the-table clash, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta opined that the defending champions would be billed as the favourite, but it was up to the challenging clubs to knock the crown off the Reds.

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“The favourite is always the one that won the previous year. Somebody has to come and take that crown away from them so that is what we will try to do. The aim is to be better than them."

Arteta will miss the services of star winger Bukayo Saka for the heavyweight clash, in addition to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, while Martin Odegaard, Christian Norgaard, Leandro Trossard and Ben White are all doubtful for the ecounter at Anfield.

“He does not need surgery. It’s not as bad as the previous one. He felt something, so he will be out for a couple of weeks," Arteta said.

“But it is obviously a concern, a big one, especially when we talk about a sprinter and a player that gets into that zone very often in a football match, who needs that burst, that change of rhythm of pace to be as threatening as possible," he continued.

“We will learn again as to why it happened and make him stronger. Unfortunately injuries are part of a career. He hasn’t had that many to be fair with the amount of games that he has played at his age but it is something that we want to eradicate," Arteta added.

“It is very unfortunate, and very sad for him. He did tremendously well to recover from the previous one. He’s never had an injury before. And suddenly this happens," said Arteta of Havertz.

“Obviously, we lose another big player for many, many weeks. But it was the right thing to do,"

“The doctors advised, and he was very convinced at the end, that it was the quickest and the best way to resolve that issue."

Arsenal have registered two win in as many games in the nascent PL with their wins against Manchester United and Leeds, while Liverpool picked up triumphs over Bournemouth and Newcastle in their opening couple of games.

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First Published:

August 29, 2025, 21:04 IST

News sports 'Somebody Has To Come And Take That Crown Away...', Says Arteta Ahead Of Liverpool Clash

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