Arsenal must find a way to knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup or Mikel Arteta risks seeing his side going completely off the rails.
The Gunners have lost top spot in the League to Jurgen Klopp’s resurgent reds and have not taken a point since their impressive December draw at Anfield.
That is why former winger Jermaine Pennant, who played for both clubs, believes there is more on the line for Arteta as he called on Arsenal to show they are still “a big team!”
Pennant knows his stuff in knock-out competitions as a Champions League finalist with Liverpool and FA Cup Final runner at Stoke.
He explained: “Arsenal need a good showing, they need to be a big team and say ‘Look, this was a blip and we’re back on it now.’
“It’s bigger for Mikel Arteta, he needs to get the fans believing again. It can take one game, and they need a big result.
“We know they are good, especially at home, but Liverpool are on a fantastic run. This match could have an impact on the title race too in terms of confidence for the rest of the season.”
Pennant, who predicts childhood heroes Liverpool will grab a 2-1 away win, is not surprised Arsenal have dropped off as star men Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and skipper Martin Odegaard have struggled to maintain their goalscoring form from last season.
He added: “It takes literally just one bad game and you can lose it all, suddenly see a downward spiral coming. It is easy to get a bit edgy once you have a bad few results. Arsenal need a big result and have been doing the opposite.”
Speaking in his role for William Hill, Pennant said Arteta can fix most of his problems with one signing – Brentford’s Ivan Toney.
“Arsenal need a striker if they want to be major contenders and win the league,” Pennant said.
“They got to where they did last year as everyone was chipping in. They need a 20-goal man and without a top striker, they’ll struggle.
“They need to get Ivan Toney; he would be perfect. He’s good on the ball, skilful, works hard and scores goals. He’s a modern Ian Wright. I think he would be a perfect fit, especially as a London boy. It’s a no-brainer – I would be shocked if they let say Chelsea get him first.”
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