Arteta expects 'special' atmosphere at Anfield

Mikel Arteta is going into tomorrow's huge clash with Liverpool with high expectations as first and second in the Premier League face off under the lights at Anfield. 

"It's going to be a special atmosphere," said the boss at his pre-match press conference. "[Both] teams are in a really strong position and I'm sure both teams have prepared the game to win it. It's going to be an intense match."

"I'm sure that a lot of [our supporters] are gonna show up tomorrow there and they're gonna be supporting the team, like always."

Last season, we headed in at half-time 2-1 up over the Reds before Mohamed Salah equalised at the death. Arteta believes that there will be some lessons learned from that ultimately disappointing draw. 

"Every game is different. [Liverpool] have a really particular way of playing like Brighton do, like Villa do. The context is different, the atmosphere is important to understand as well. 

"We now have the experience of what we did last year that worked for big parts of the game. There are a lot of things that we have to replicate and some others that we have to do better to win tomorrow."

When asked what was his favourite memory as a player at Anfield, our head coach opted for the September 2012 fixture when goals from Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla granted us a 2-0 victory - the last time we defeated Liverpool on home soil. 

"Winning there, as always. The last time we beat them there, which was a while ago - that was a really good moment and something to replicate tomorrow."

As for whether he prefers playing or managing at Anfield, Arteta feels the merits of both. 

"I don't know, to be fair! I always say that there's nothing like playing but as well, there is something about managing.

"When you feel that cohesion between the team, that chemistry between players and a team producing what was in your brain...I don't think it gets much better than that."