"I'm not sure how some of their players would handle that" - Liverpool legend issues stern warning to Arsenal before showdown

Graeme Souness believes Arsenal are in a must-win situation when they host Liverpool this weekend. The Gunners are already four points behind the leaders, and he has claimed that they cannot afford to fall further behind.

Writing in his Daily Mail column, Souness stated that the clash at the Emirates this weekend is bigger for Arsenal than Liverpool. He added that falling seven points behind the Reds would add pressure on them ahead of their match against Newcastle United and Chelsea. He wrote:

"We are only eight games into the season, but this already feels like a 'must-win' for Arsenal. It is certainly a bigger game for them than it is Liverpool, in terms of how it impacts their season and their immediate welfare. Lose and they will be seven points behind their opponents and almost certainly six behind Manchester City, who host Southampton on Saturday. Given the fine margins of recent seasons in the title race, that would feel like a big lead to give two excellent rivals."

"With that there will be talk of their challenge taking a serious dent, and the pressure on the games after — trips to Newcastle and Chelsea — will be huge. A defeat on Sunday would take some recovering from, and they would have to win some very big matches to get people believing again. I'm not sure how some of their players would handle that. But that is the price on the ticket if you're a big player at a big club — deal with it! And the best way to do that? It's very simple: go and beat Liverpool," he added.

Mikel Arteta's side suffered a shock 2-0 loss to Bournemouth last weekend after the players returned from the international break. The Gunners are third with 17 points from their opening eight matches – level with Aston Villa and three behind Manchester City, who sit second.

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Arsenal to come out flying against Liverpool, claims Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta admitted that he was expecting his players to drop in pace and form when they faced Shakhtar Donetsk this week in the UEFA Champions League. However, he expects them to come out flying when the Gunners host Liverpool on Sunday.

Speaking to the media after the 1-0 win in the European competition, the manager said:

"Believe me, come Sunday we'll be flying. For sure. We'll review, have a day off, then two days to prepare the game. Sunday is far and we are more than comfortable that we'll be in the right place."

Arsenal have lost just once this season but have drawn twice – to Brighton and Manchester City. Meanwhile, Liverpool have dropped points just once so far – a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest at home.