Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang believes Arsenal can lay down a marker with a positive result at Liverpool this evening but says the team will have to ‘play hard’ to have any chance of beating the Premier League champions.
Third-placed Arsenal sit one spot above Liverpool in the table on goal difference and will fancy their chances at Anfield after back-to-back victories over London rivals Fulham and West Ham.
The Gunners can take encouragement from the fact they came out on top in an entertaining Community Shield encounter at Wembley last month, where Aubameyang scored a stunning 12th-minute opener.
But Jurgen Klopp’s men will also be full of confidence after three wins on the spin in all competitions – and Arsenal’s captain and talisman knows they will have to be at their best on Merseyside.
Asked whether tonight’s clash can be a marker for the rest of Arsenal’s campaign, Aubameyang told the club’s official website: ‘Yes, even if it’s maybe early in the season.
‘But it’s still a big game so we’re going to see if we’re ready to compete and to see that we started well.
‘We have to play hard and that’s it.’
The Gabon striker insists every member of Arsenal’s squad is pushing in the same direction under Mikel Arteta’s leadership.
‘Since he came, he brings that atmosphere that everyone feels like they’re at home – so we have to do homework as well!’ Aubameyang joked.
‘I think the mentality around the club is going very well and everyone is going on the same way. That’s really important.
‘Everyone has this objective, the goal to bring the club back to where it belongs.’
‘I think everyone remembers them because they had this charisma and I think everyone respects them here at the club and of course in the world of football,’ he said.
‘I’ve been watching a few videos and I saw Henry playing so I have a lot of respect for them.
‘They inspire me and I want to become like them.’
