Liverpool v Arsenal | Andoni Iraola Premier League Pre-Match Press Conference

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

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SPEAKER_2 (0:29)

Andoni, we'll start with TVS. Shibaz, Lime, Munoz, any chance this weekend?

Andoni Iraola (0:35)

I think they have a chance. They have a chance, but I don't know for sure if they will be involved or not, but we still have two days, so I think we have a chance, yes.

SPEAKER_2 (0:48)

Five wins on the bounce in all competitions after City. You can move to within two points of Arsenal. How much of a gauge, though, is this one game as to where you're at as a squad?

Andoni Iraola (0:59)

I think it's too early to start looking at the standings. I think it's about preparing ourselves for a very difficult game. We know Arsenal, we know how good they are, very good players, working a lot, working in synchrony, knowing each other very well, and we have to be ready for that challenge. I think it's going to be demanding the game, but I also trust our players, I trust ourselves and in a good atmosphere that for sure we will have on Sunday.

I hope we can be at the level to win this game.

SPEAKER_2 (1:37)

Jerry Carrigan said Liverpool have emerged as Arsenal's biggest tackle challenger. How do you see it and how would you feel going toe-to-toe with Michael Arteta in the title race?

Andoni Iraola (1:46)

I think, like I said before, it's still October, I think. So still take one game at a time. And I think I always say the first reference more or less normal is when we play against each other once. So halfway through the season and then you can start thinking on the standards and this stuff. But right now we are in a position where we need to improve, we need to keep getting better. And the second question about Michael. I've been, I think, last week, we were against Inigo, against Xabi, now it's going to be against Michael. So a lot of friends in the position bench.

I think it's a good thing in terms of spending at least five, ten minutes after the games normally with them. But I know that he will give us a very difficult game, so we will have to be at our very best.

SPEAKER_2 (2:39)

Just one thing, should the fans go one game at a time, or should they start dreaming?

Andoni Iraola (2:43)

No, the fans, you know, it's good if they have expectations, or if they think we can win, and normally it's a good thing, you know, but if you ask me, I think it's still very early in the season.

SPEAKER_4 (2:59)

Hi Andoni, you've beaten Arsenal three of the last four times that you faced them. How do you beat them? What are the details you need to get right?

Andoni Iraola (3:07)

It's true that we had a good result with Bournemouth against them, but this doesn't mean a lot, honestly, because it's a totally different team, different group of players, different moments. So I think we will have to, we cannot use exactly the same things we used with Bournemouth against Arsenal. I think we have to use different tools, use our players as good as we can and trust them. At the end, it's going to be a matter of winning the duels, being, running more than then, winning the aerial duels, winning the set play, mini games, these things that you have to control against Arsenal, yes.

SPEAKER_4 (3:50)

Are they still the same to be for you this season?

Andoni Iraola (3:52)

I think they are the actual champions, no? And they are top of the league right now. They've only lost one game this season, so they are in a good place. And definitely it's going to be a good challenge for us on Sunday. Thank you.

SPEAKER_5 (4:08)

Hiya, with five wins in a row right now, do you feel the players are starting to get used to positions and the roles that you want from them?

Andoni Iraola (4:17)

I think obviously winning helps a lot. But it's true that from the five wins, just two are on the league. So if we are talking about the league, we still need more wins to recover points.