Why Arsenal’s ‘bajar’ demons stand in the way of ending Anfield curse

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Arsenal boss did not reference his former vice-captain Granit Xhaka by name ahead of returning to Anfield but among the many things that went wrong during last season’s title challenge, it was the midfielder’s lack of cool in the heat of battle that signified the start of an unravelling in the spring. open image in gallery Xhaka’s clash with Alexander-Arnold turned the game on Arsenal’s last visit to Anfield Now Arsenal return to Anfield having swapped chaos for control. Together, they make Arsenal a different proposition for Liverpool to face, their instincts allowing the visitors to squeeze the Reds high and dominate possession; their physicality and ability to cover ground in midfield making Arteta’s side less susceptible to counter-attacks and the open spaces Liverpool thrive upon. open image in gallery Arteta is winless at Liverpool as a manager in the Premier League and lost his cool in a 3-1 defeat in 2021 But for all of the signs that Arsenal have evolved and matured from last season’s title bid, there isn’t a better place to test that progress than Anfield: a place where Arsenal haven’t won since Arteta was at the base of their midfield.