Arteta praises great Slot ahead of clash

Mikel Arteta has delivered a measured but pointed message ahead of Arsenal’s high profile meeting with Liverpool, praising Arne Slot as a “great manager” while stressing that, at the very top of the game, fine margins still decide the biggest nights.

The Arsenal head coach, speaking before the showdown, framed the contest as one that goes beyond league positioning and instead tests mentality, adaptability, and execution under pressure.

Arsenal host Liverpool at 21:00 on 08-01-2026, and Arteta made clear he expects a demanding and potentially defining encounter. “I’m really looking forward to the next match. It will be an important duel for us. We have something to prove,” he said. Despite Arsenal holding a significant cushion in the standings, the Spaniard refused to treat the fixture as a formality, instead presenting it as another benchmark in a season where he wants his side to validate their progress week after week.

Arteta’s emphasis on “proving it” was not framed as motivational rhetoric for its own sake. It was a recognition that matches against direct rivals carry a different weight: they shape belief inside the dressing room, sharpen standards, and influence how opponents perceive Arsenal when the title race tightens. In Arteta’s view, being at the top is one thing, but staying there requires constant reinforcement through performances in the most demanding fixtures.

He also chose to highlight Liverpool’s quality and the influence of Slot, whose arrival has clearly made an impression on rival coaches. “But the differences at the top are very small and Liverpool have a great manager. I still think Liverpool are a fantastic team,” Arteta added, signalling respect for both the squad’s underlying strength and the tactical structure Slot has implemented.

That respect is rooted in what Arteta sees as Liverpool’s tactical elasticity, a trait he believes separates elite teams from good ones. “At Liverpool they know what they need to demand from their players in a match and they can play in different ways. That makes the upcoming match different from other duels,” he explained. It is a significant point, because it hints at the kind of match Arsenal are preparing for: one where the opponent can shift gears, alter pressing height, vary build up patterns, and adapt to game state without losing cohesion.

For Arsenal, this means preparation cannot be one dimensional. Liverpool’s ability to play multiple styles forces opponents to solve more than one problem in a single match. They can ask questions through intensity and counter pressing, but also through controlled possession, different attacking structures, and changes in tempo. Arteta’s comments suggest Arsenal will need not only quality, but also clarity in decision making and resilience when momentum swings.

With Arsenal looking to reinforce their position at the top, the manager underlined the standard required. “We want to reinforce where we are and for that we will have to play an excellent match against a very good opponent. We have to prove ourselves every week.” It is a message that reflects a broader theme of his tenure: the idea that the “job” is never complete, and that the strongest teams treat every major match as an opportunity to raise the bar rather than protect what they already have.

Arteta also moved from broader themes into practical matters, focusing on availability and the physical condition of key players. “We know what we have to do to beat them. Now we also have to prove it on the pitch,” he said, before confirming he is still without defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori.

“I think they will return fairly soon. They still have to go through the final stage of their rehabilitation. If everything goes well, hopefully they will be available for selection again soon.” While he did not commit to a precise timeline, the language suggests the club is optimistic, with the final phase of rehabilitation typically involving match intensity work and contact readiness, rather than long-term recovery milestones.

There was also encouraging news regarding Kai Havertz, with Arteta indicating the forward is on his way back. Even without detailing the exact stage of the return, the mention itself is meaningful ahead of a fixture of this magnitude. Havertz’s availability can influence how Arsenal structure their attacking line, particularly in games where pressing, aerial duels, and off ball movement are decisive. For Arteta, having another option returning to fitness widens tactical choices and reduces the need to overextend players who have been carrying heavy minutes.

Beyond the immediate Arsenal-Liverpool narrative, Arteta was asked about a wider story in the football world: the dismissal of former Manchester United colleague Ruben Amorim. His response balanced empathy with realism. “It’s always sad to see a colleague lose his job, but we all know how the football world works. In the end, you have to win matches to keep your job. That’s the reality.”

It was a short remark, but it reflected a truth that influences every major fixture at the highest level: results shape narratives, and narratives shape pressure. In that context, Arsenal vs Liverpool is not simply a game between two famous clubs. It is a test of consistency, of identity, and of how quickly both teams can impose their plan while responding to what the opponent throws back.

Arteta’s tone, mixing respect for Liverpool with a clear demand for excellence from his own side, suggests Arsenal intend to approach the match as a statement opportunity rather than a moment to protect their position. The message is straightforward: Arsenal believe they know what is required to win, but belief only matters if it is confirmed in ninety minutes against one of the league’s most dangerous opponents.