The main protagonists in this season’s Premier League title race go head-to-head on Sunday in a game which has little riding on it for this season.
With Liverpool already confirming their status as champions, attention will now switch to which other teams will end the campaign inside the top five.
Arsenal must end the season strongly
Arsenal have looked nailed on to finish as runners-up since the midway point in the season, but the picture is now a little cloudier.
The Gunners head into the weekend six points clear of sixth-placed Nottingham Forest – a gap which should be sufficient with just three games remaining.
However, much like the unpredictability of live dealer casino games, the Premier League is renowned for producing surprising outcomes.
As fans of roulette, blackjack and other casino games know only too well, it pays never to take anything for granted when wagering.
Arsenal supporters willing to bet heavily on the team securing Champions League qualification a few weeks ago may now be looking nervously at the league table.
In addition to their visit to Liverpool on Sunday, Arsenal still have important fixtures to come against Newcastle United (H) and Southampton (A).
A run of one win in their last five league games highlights why the Gunners cannot afford to take anything for granted over the next few weeks.
If Arsenal are defeated at Liverpool this weekend, the pressure to perform in the final two matches will be magnified.
Aside from the obvious allure of picking up three points against the newly-crowned champions, the Gunners also have the chance to lay down an early marker for next season.
Liverpool will be desperate to prove a point
While Liverpool have undoubtedly deserved to win the title, their success has not received much praise from the wider football community.
The Reds have been accused of capitalising on one of the worst Premier League seasons ever staged, and their critics arguably make a fair point.
Arsenal’s penchant for dropping crucial points is evidenced by their tally of 13 draws in 35 games. If they had won six of those games, the title race would still be alive.
Chelsea briefly threatened to force their way into contention before reality set in, while Manchester City never looked like winning a fifth consecutive title.
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are languishing in the bottom half of the table, further highlighting the lack of title challengers this season.
Liverpool’s disappointing 3-1 defeat at Chelsea last weekend added further weight to the argument that they are one of the poorest champions in years.
Despite this, the Gunners will recognise their achievement by giving them a guard of honour this weekend. The respect must end when the first whistle is blown.
Liverpool will be desperate to prove the critics wrong this weekend by producing a performance worthy of champions.
This gives Arsenal the opportunity to make a statement by turning over the Reds in front of their own fans and sending them a clear message ahead of next season.
Arsenal need to prove their title credentials
Having finished runners-up in each of the last three seasons, questions are rightly being asked about Arsenal’s ability to snap their title drought.
Defeating Liverpool at Anfield would be an excellent way for the current crop of players to show that they have what it takes to compete against the top team in England.
Collecting three points this weekend is not just about securing Champions League qualification – it could also be the foundation on which a successful title-winning 2025/26 campaign is built on.
