Mikel Arteta would quietly have been hoping for a fortunate FA Cup draw. His side are coming off the back of consecutive Premier League losses in which they have looked particularly exhausted. The fates have not been kind though.
Liverpool is among the toughest ties they could have been given, but there is at least a caveat of the match being at home. Arteta feels that the Arsenal fans can create an atmosphere capable of challenging that at Anfield, but called on his players to do more to bring that dream to life.
"We are really happy with the atmosphere that we have created at the Emirates," he said in his pre-match press conference. "It has been really supportive. Can we tweak it and make it even more hostile? I think we can. That’s the next step in my opinion. We have to be so grateful for what we’re achieving in our home ground. Sunday is going to be another big one.
"I think the team has to give more. It has to transmit that bite, that aggression, that intimidation and that dominance to the opponent. Certain games this season, and Champions League games are going to create that next step. That’s my feeling."
To bring that about, Arteta will have to get his team selection spot on. Here football.london takes a look at who he might pick for Sunday's FA Cup third round clash.
Goalkeeper - Aaron Ramsdale
Mikel Arteta refused to confirm that Aaron Ramsdale would start this clash with Liverpool. The Spaniard has used his first choice keeper in cup competitions before but surely this will be a game for Ramsdale to start.(Image: Clive Rose/Getty Images)
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Right-back - Ben White
Ben White is a player who could do with a rest. Against weaker opposition Arsenal might have been tempted to give him that. With Liverpool coming to north London though, surely Arteta will opt for him over Cedric or Reuell Walters.(Image: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
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Centre-back - William Saliba
With Takehiro Tomiyasu off to the Asia Cup there's not really many options for Arteta to rotate his backline. That will mean William Saliba will start, but against this opposition, that may have been expected anyway.
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Centre-back - Gabriel
Perhaps you could make an argument for Jakub Kiwior to start in his preferred centre-back position in a cup competition. With the strength of the opposition though, it's probably going to be Gabriel in defence again.
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Left-back - Oleksandr Zinchenko
Mikel Arteta did appear to infer that he can't keep asking Jakub Kiwior to invert in the way Oleksandr Zinchenko does at left-back. With the Ukrainian potentially fit he might not have to against Liverpool.(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Defensive midfield - Jorginho
In this fixture two weeks ago, Arsenal never really had control of the midfield. Mikel Arteta may feel Jorginho is the man to give his side that at home.(Image: Rene Nijhuis/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
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Central midfield - Declan Rice
Declan Rice said Arsenal's mentality needed to improve in their defeat to Fulham. He'll be the man hoping to turn things around in this FA Cup clash with Liverpool
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Central midfield - Martin Odegaard
Martin Odegaard actually grew up a Liverpool fan. After being one of the points of contention for his penalty incident a few weeks ago, he'll want to make the headlines for different reasons this time around.(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Right-wing - Bukayo Saka
Some of the criticism Bukayo Saka has received this week should serve as reminder to onlookers that it's worth getting to know the full story before casting judgement. Hopefully he can put it behind him and return to his best against Liverpool this weekend.(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Centre-forward - Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus may have struggled to make an impact off the bench against Fulham, but he's one of Arsenal's most consistent players in big games. Expect him to start again in another heavyweight clash.
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Left-wing - Gabriel Martinelli
The Brazilian may not be in the best form, but against a Liverpool side who will afford him space, he feels like a more sensible pick than Leandro Trossard. He'll be hoping this is the time to get the goal he needs to kick start his confidence.