What Liverpool insiders really think about Mikel Arteta ahead of Premier League clash

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Liverpool against Arsenal is a Premier League fixture which evokes strong memories for both clubs.

The game has often been hotly contested, although rarely has it actually been a game that has ramifications for the league title.

That has changed over the past year or two, with Arsenal once again becoming a force in the Premier League.

While Liverpool enjoyed an excellent record against the Gunners for most of the Jurgen Klopp years, the pendulum has swung towards the North London side since 2022/23.

In recent times, matches have been relatively fierce occasions, with Mikel Arteta’s touchline antics often riling up those of a Liverpool persuasion.

And as the Reds prepare to lock horns with Arteta once again on Sunday, the true feelings of those at Anfield about the Spaniard have been revealed.

Liverpool starting to get annoyed by Mikel Arteta

There’s little question that Arteta has done a very good job with Arsenal.

When the former Gunners midfielder was appointed in 2019 he was only 37-years-old. It was a gamble from Arsenal but it has paid off.

Nevertheless, the sole trophy Arteta has won at the Emirates remains the behind-closed-doors FA Cup win in 2020.

Given the resources splurged and how much they’ve improved in the years since, that isn’t really good enough. The pressure should be on the 42-year-old to win something this season.

READ MORE: Paul Merson predicts the scoreline when Liverpool face Arsenal on Sunday

The early signs are that Liverpool may stand in their way, though. And according to The Independent, the Reds are likely to take great satisfaction from that.

They claim that an ‘edge’ has grown between the two clubs ahead of Sunday’s fixture, reportedly partly down to Klopp being ‘less than popular’ at Arsenal.

In the same way Klopp riled the Gunners, though, it’s said that Arteta’s ‘sideline activity’ is starting to grate at Liverpool. The Reds are claimed to see the Spanish coach’s behaviour on the touchline as ‘annoying’.

Liverpool have the chance to silence Mikel Arteta

We’re with Liverpool on this one: Arteta’s behaviour on the touchline in each and every game is incredibly annoying.

The former Everton man gets away with spending precisely zero time in his designated technical area.

But, in fairness to him, Arteta is clearly a very good manager. Perhaps he has earned the right to be a little over zealous.

In any action, Liverpool have the chance to silence – or at least temporarily mute – Arteta with a win at the Emirates on Sunday.

A victory would move the Reds to seven points clear of Arsenal. Although there’s still such a long way to go this season, that would feel significant at this early stage and would likely make the Gunners none of Liverpool’s business for a little while at least.