Mikel Arteta lives up to 16-month Arsenal promise ahead of Liverpool clash at Emirates

Mikel Arteta is beginning to live up to his Emirates Stadium promise to Arsenal fans as his side look to end their five-year UEFA Champions League hiatus.

The Gunners are currently fourth in the Premier League table, one-point ahead of Manchester United, an impressive feat considering the Red Devils have played three more times in the league this term. Now, the north Londoners are preparing to welcome Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool to the English capital on Wednesday night in a huge match for both teams.

The Reds are locked in a tight race with Manchester City for the league title but they face the tough task of winning at the Emirates, something that away teams have struggled with this season. In fact, City and Chelsea are the only two teams to win on Arsenal's patch in the league so far this term, with the Citizens needing an injury-time winner in a game that was marred in controversy to record all three points.

How Mikel Arteta has begun to unlock the real Thomas Partey following Arsenal win over Leicester

Arteta's side have clinched 32 points from their 14 home fixtures, the third-best in the division as the former City assistant coach has begun to live up to a promise he made to fans over a year ago. Speaking in November 2020, the Spaniard said: “We have to make the Emirates a fortress.

"It’s a completely different feeling playing at home with our without fans, it’s not the same but it’s what we have at the moment and we need a win on Sunday for sure.”

Arteta and Co will be desperate to prove themselves against the Merseyside club on Wednesday given they were defeated 4-0 in the corresponding fixture at Anfield back in November.

The Gunners were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup earlier this year by the Reds, who