‘I know how strong these guys are’

Arsenal supporters could be forgiven if they feel like they’ve been here before.

Arsene Wenger’s side entertain Liverpool at the Emirates this evening facing a huge test of their title credentials in the wake of two successive home defeats to Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea, with a nagging sense that the wheels could be about to fall off spectacularly after their blistering start to the season.

No silverware since beating Manchester United in the 2005 FA Cup final is bound to have that kind of effect on a club’s psyche and Arsenal’s trophy drought has only heightened the sense of anxiety ahead of this sort of occasion among the red and white half of north London.