Arsenal make their trip to Anfield to face newly crowned Premier League champions, Liverpool, with Mikel Arteta expected to make slight changes.

Arsenal are coming on the back of a disappointing exit from the UEFA Champions League, and they now make the trip to newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool. Mikel Arteta is expected to make slight changes to the team that started on Wednesday as they aim to tighten their grip on second place.

During his pre-match press conference, Arteta spoke about some of his comments made in the aftermath of the Champions League clash. He was also asked about giving Liverpool a Guard of Honour, as well as whether Arsenal can perform well in the final games of the season.

On his comments stating Arsenal were the best team in the Champions League, Arteta said, “100%. I’m watching the impact, I’m watching all the stats because they were the best stats and the best goal difference in the semi-final, so it’s very clear. But it’s not about the winning probability or what you’ve merited, it’s actually making it happen and making it count. When you look at the important stats that normally give you the best platform to win football matches, it’s crystal clear who was better.”

He was also asked whether the players can bounce back and perform in the remaining games this season in the league. Arteta continued, “But this is what we are, when we get so close to winning big trophies and you don’t achieve it, it has to be part of that journey. We have to be able now to go immediately into a different competition and perform at the highest level, that’s it. “

Finally, Arteta was asked about the guard of honour for Liverpool, to which he claimed the Merseysiders deserved the title. He said, “They deserve that. They’ve been the best team, they’ve been the most consistent, and what Arne and the coaching staff have done has been fascinating, it’s been really good. They fully deserve it, and that’s the sport. If somebody’s better, you have to approve and accept and try to reach that level.”

In terms of team selection, Arteta could make a few alterations to the lineup that started on Wednesday against PSG. Jurrien Timber could be on the bench after a late knock in midweek, meaning Ben White could start at right-back. Riccardo Calafiori could start at left-back in place of Myles Lewis-Skelly, while the central defensive pairing could stay intact.

Similarly, the midfield setup could be retained as Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and Declan Rice are all set to start. Bukayo Saka will keep his place on the right side of the front three, with Mikel Merino set to lead the line. The other change could be on the left flank, as Leandro Trossard could start ahead of Gabriel Martinelli.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Kiwior, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard