Arsenal Want Saka To ‘Have A Go’ At Kerkez

) to preview a huge game for both sides.

You must be delighted with how Arsenal’s season is going?

So far, so good. We’re top of the Premier League and Champions League with a Carabao Cup semi-final vs. Chelsea on the horizon.

It hasn’t always been enjoyable, though.

I think there’s a lot of anxiety in the fanbase stemming from the desperation to finally win the big prizes and the prospect of being second-best again.

But we are where we are, and it’s hard not to be hopeful about how it might end.

What, if anything, has changed to see you go up a level?

We’ve kept the spine of the team together and augmented it with real quality.

Our squad depth has so far allowed us to weather the ongoing injury problems, too.

Instead of bringing on Raheem Sterling, we’re turning to players like Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, or even Bukayo Saka because we’re able to rotate .

Which three players have shone most for Arsenal and has anyone struggled?

I’d say our best players this season have been Declan Rice, Gabriel and Jurrien Timber, but Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Saka deserve a shout, too.

Zubimendi, in particular, has allowed Rice a bit freedom to get forward and he is starting to add goals to his game.

We really missed Gabriel at both ends of the pitch when he was injured, and Timber impresses me with every passing week – he’s so reliable.

As for strugglers, it’s hard not to look at Viktor Gyokeres. You can’t fault his effort, but so far, the Premier League looks a bit too fast and physical for him.

Hopefully, he and those around him are just taking a bit of time to adapt.

Do you think you’ll win one of the big trophies this season, if not both?

I doubt we’d go from winning nothing to suddenly winning the two biggest prizes in club football.

But that will be the aim, and if we can keep going as we are, and perhaps even find another level, then who knows?

I’m still backing us to win the Premier League.

How do you assess Liverpool’s season and Slot’s future?

It has been nice not having to care about their results, they’ve been poor. The aura is gone and teams fancy themselves against them, whether they’re home or away.

I can’t see that lasting forever, though.

Liverpool had off-seasons even under Jurgen Kloppand they’ve got some amazing players who just aren’t on it right now.

I’d stick with Arne Slotespecially with other teams around them changing managers. That bit of stability might count for something at the end of the season.

If you could only have one Liverpool player at Arsenal, who would it be?

I’d probably go for Dominik Szoboszlai and I reckon Mikel Arteta would as well.

He just has so much to offer all over the pitch, in different positions. He can take a free kick, too.

Where will the key battles take place on Thursday?

I’m hoping Saka will get another go at Milos Kerkezwho still looks a bit undercooked playing left-back for Liverpool.

Rice and Martin Odegaard are improving with every game, so it will be interesting to see how Mac Allister can deal with them in midfield.

What’s your prediction?

The Arsenal form book right now is to win by a tight margin.

If we do win, us fans will have to suffer for it. Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool.