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Liverpool has been warned that Arsenal will be its most difficult rival in the Premier League title race this season ahead of the pair meeting in a heavyweight clash at Anfield on Sunday.
Manchester City has spent big to refresh things under Pep Guardiola, while Chelsea has invested heavily too. But former Liverpool player Jason McAteer thinks it will be Arsenal who need to be watched the most.
"I think Arsenal have addressed the problems that fundamentally hurt them last season," McAteer told 10bet. "They’ve got Gyokeres through the door, and he’s scored a couple to help him settle his nerves and get off to a good start.
"Chelsea have bought well in that they got Liam Delap in at center-forward, but Arsenal have been ahead of them, getting Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi. Eberechi Eze, though, takes them to another level.
"I’ve been really impressed with his progression over the last few years, and he was the standout player in the Community Shield against Manchester City. He has a fantastic skillset, and it’s a great buy for Arsenal. It elevates the whole team.
"Madueke was vital because it gives cover for Bukayo Saka. They’ve got strength in depth, but there’s quality in that depth too.
"I think they will work their way through the season and build on the confidence they're developing. They’re within touching distance of the title and it’s just about their mentality now. Those new players could get them over the line."
This summer, Arsenal has brought lots of new players, with Eze potentially to make his debut at Anfield. The former Crystal Palace player made a $91 million (£67 million) move earlier in the week.
"He's the X factor; I think he's the missing piece for Arsenal winning the Premier League," Paul Merson declared on Sky Sports ahead of the deal going through.
"The pressure's on now if they don't win it," he added. "I think [Andrea Berta's] bought amazingly. They needed a holding midfield player; they bought a top-drawer one.
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"They've needed a centre-forward; they bought a centre-forward. Now, they bought someone who can break defences; he could get in a lot of teams.
"I watched Arsenal a lot; when the pressure's on, they find it hard to break teams down. They rely on [Martin] Odegaard; if Odegaard doesn't do it, and he didn't do it last season, they struggle.
"[Bukayo] Saka got injured; he's the other one they rely on. All of a sudden, you've got him [Eze]; he is different class, he's different class."
Liverpool.com says: Arsenal has quietly spent a huge amount of money in the market, without really bringing much in through sales. The pressure is very much on Mikel Arteta to win.
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