Arsenal cult hero 'scared' before Liverpool game as 'gap can close drastically'

Arsenal will be aiming to take another step toward the Premier League title against Liverpool this week, although one former Gunner has admitted he's scared for his former club

Mikel Arteta will be aiming to avoid a slip-up when Arsenal faces Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Eboue has admitted he’s “scared” for the Gunners’ title hopes, and claims that Liverpool is still in with a shout of defending its crown.

The two sides go head-to-head on Thursday, with Mikel Arteta’s side aiming to strengthen their position at the top of the Premier League table, while Arne Slot’s men are just aiming to secure a top four spot at the moment.

Liverpool currently sits 14 points off Arsenal after a dismal run of results between September and November saw it fall well off the pace for the title. In fact, the Reds actually sit closer to Nottingham Forest in 17th than the league leaders.

It looks a tall order for Slot’s side to claim anything in north London this week, having failed to capitalize on Chelsea and Manchester United dropping points recently in the race for fourth place.

Arsenal is on course to take the Reds’ crown this season, with its lead at the top standing at six points ahead of this week’s round of fixtures, but Eboue still feels that there’s a long way for his former side to go - and he believes Liverpool is not out of the running yet.

“I think we’ve got four teams still in the title race this season,” Eboue told Ladbrokes at the launch of Ladisfaction.

“I think Arsenal and Manchester City will obviously be up there, but I don’t think Aston Villa or Liverpool are out of it yet.

Emmanuel Eboue believes Liverpool isn't out of the Premier League title race yet(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)

“Aston Villa are so close in points to the top of the table, and they’ve done incredible up to this point this season. It’s going to be tough, for sure, but I don’t think you can rule them out of the title race, based on what I’ve seen so far.

“I’d also say the same for Liverpool… yes, they started bad, but you can see they’re finding a bit more form now.

“Look, they’re already behind Arsenal in the table, but this is such a busy period in the season, and that gap can close drastically in the space of a couple of weeks – especially when you consider Liverpool play Arsenal later this week.

“You might look at the table right now and say if Liverpool win the league this season, then something has gone very, very wrong for Arsenal. But this is a very, very hard league, where any team is capable of taking points off you. For me, Arsenal don’t have enough players to compete for every trophy, and so for that reason I’m scared.

“Don’t get me wrong, if Arsenal keep doing what they’re doing, then I think they’ll win the league. But if they start to slip up and drop points, then I think it’s going to be very, very difficult for them – especially when they’re going up against a team like Liverpool, who have just won the league last season.

“I still have to say Arsenal win the league though; the club is my family and I’ve loved them for so long now… I really hope that this is the year they win the title.”