There was a time heading into a big match, when the question was only can we get the three points.

Tonight we head to Anfield in the first of a double header with Liverpool. It's always strange playing the same team twice back to back. If you asked me before kick-off I'll definitely take a result in this game over the one on Thursday. Now when I say a result I have to include a draw, as Liverpool, being the champions with a great home record and if I'm not mistaken, we haven't beaten Liverpool at Anfield in the league since 2012. A two nil win, with Podolski and Cazorla scoring the goals on the day. So please forgive me if I look upon this fixture slightly differently to that of years past.
How do Gooners measure success in this performance? Is it strictly come away with a win or a draw? Does the manner of the performance come into play at all? If, just if, we go there and scrap out a win by benefitting from referee/ VAR decisions does it matter? If we get beat, two nil, but the performance is of a really good attitude, and we create chance after chance, do we look ahead to where we are now and how we are performing as a team?
For me, I want to see a team performance, and a group of players sticking to the managers plan, and working for each other. A free-flowing, playing out from the back, creating chances performance would be a delight, however a backs to the wall, hard-working, 'thou shall not pass' performance would please me equally too. We will get chances in this game and it's about how we go about the balancing our team and attacking when the game dictates it. Something Arteta eludes to, when speaking about starting on the right foot.
"You have to be able, when you have the right opportunities and the right moments, to be ruthless - you have to do that. As well, you have to suffer for periods"
There are going to be key battles all over the pitch. Holding vs Mane (part 2) will be vital, as the last time they squared-up holding just about kept Mane at bay. I'd expect Ainsley Maitland Niles to pop up on the left wing-back role, helping Tierney ( hopefully fit again) with their Salah shut-out. Our front three can get joy out of their defence, as long as we can get a hold of play in the middle. If Thiago starts for Liverpool, our Tag team of Xhaka and Ceballos need to be energetic, and his face, making it hard to pick out Mane and co.
Having beaten them recently twice, all be it under different circumstances, we should be in the mood to give a good account of ourselves, confident that we can leave with some points. Lets silence the Kop, oh wait...🤦♂️🤷♂️
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