Mikel Arteta makes DESPERATE last-ditch plea ahead of Liverpool clash

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is battling an injury crisis ahead of facing Liverpool in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta has called on the Arsenal fans to create an atmosphere as his Arsenal side searches for positives ahead of Liverpool. The Gunners are lacking players right now.

Not only is William Saliba suspended for the fixture but Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber are all major injury doubts. They add to the definite injuries: Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Keiran Tierney.

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Arsenal aren't in a great position, then, and now they've got a rampant Liverpool heading to the Emirates. That's a Liverpool side with 11 wins from 12 - the greatest start to a season in all competitions in their history.

Arne Slot is masterminding a brilliant season and while there's a ways to go, Sunday feels like true title clash. Manchester City remain favourites - but a win here for either side would be a massive statement.

Mikel Arteta calls on the Arsenal fans

And so that will be why Arteta is hoping the Arsenal fans can make a difference - they've got to find something from somewhere, after all.

“I love watching people, watching individuals, watching teams react to [adversity], and is it ‘look at that and I hate it’?," he told a press conference.

“I haven’t seen the team once, the staff, I haven’t seen upstairs, I haven’t seen the people talking about it.

“Get on with it, show your teeth, show how much you want it, the amazing opportunity for other people, the amazing opportunity for us as a team to rebel against certain situations, we need the crowd more.

"On Sunday, we need them even more, I’m sure they’re going to do that and let’s keep going.”

We'll find out later if the fans can give him what he wants. If Liverpool can kill that atmosphere early, though, they have an incredible chance at the Emirates.

It could be Slot's biggest scalp yet - if all goes to plan.

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