Dominik Szoboszlai, the architect of a stunning victory over Arsenal earlier in the season, has issued a stark warning: don't celebrate prematurely. The Gunners currently hold a six-point lead in the Premier League, but Szoboszlai believes the title race is far from decided.
Recent stumbles by Manchester City, including a late equalizer against Chelsea, have kept the championship within reach. Aston Villa, despite their own ambitions, also trail Arsenal by a significant margin. Even Liverpool, currently on a nine-game unbeaten streak, find themselves 14 points behind the leaders.
Tonight’s clash against Liverpool presents a crucial test for Arsenal, especially with City and Villa also in action. The pressure is mounting, and Szoboszlai remembers vividly the moment his breathtaking free-kick silenced Anfield and defeated Arteta’s side in September.
“It’s a long way… the Premier League is not easy,” Szoboszlai stated. “You don’t win it by January.” He dismissed the notion that Liverpool are facing the inevitable champions, emphasizing the strength of multiple contenders. “They are one of the favorites, an unbelievable team, but we shouldn’t forget about Man City and Aston Villa, who are doing very good.”
Liverpool, however, face their own challenges heading into the match. Forward Hugo Ekitike is a major doubt due to a hamstring injury, remaining absent from training. Manager Arne Slot is cautiously optimistic, acknowledging the quick turnaround between games could delay Ekitike’s return.
Ekitike’s potential absence is particularly concerning given the injuries to Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah’s continued participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. A fully fit squad is crucial for Liverpool as they aim to close the gap on Arsenal.
Despite the unbeaten run, Slot acknowledges a growing frustration with his team’s inability to convert dominance into more decisive victories. “It’s nine games unbeaten where we have definitely had two draws too many,” he admitted after a recent draw against Fulham.
The manager also addressed criticism regarding the team’s style of play, admitting he understands the concerns about a lack of attacking flair. “I find it really hard to hear, but it’s not that I completely disagree,” Slot confessed. “I want to win as many trophies as I can, but my teams always try to play attacking football. We are struggling to create chances, but we are not the only team.”
The recent draw against Fulham, secured by a late goal only to be answered by Harrison Reed’s stunning equalizer, underscored this point. The Premier League season is proving to be a relentless battle, and Szoboszlai’s warning rings true: the championship is earned, not assumed.
