Emery on Arsenal’s bid to right last year’s wrongs at Anfield

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Unai Emery says Arsenal are ‘looking forward’ to the opportunity for make amends for recent drubbings at Anfield this weekend.

The North Londoners have been dealt 5-1, 4-0 and 3-1 beatings on their last three visits.

They travel to Merseyside with more optimism this year, though, after some much-needed summer spending and a winning start to the new campaign.

Emery is hopeful his team are emboldened, rather than cowed, by the electric Anfield atmosphere on this occasion.

“Each match, each moment, each season is different,” he replied when asked in his press conference how he would ensure a repeat of last season was avoided.

“We can use last year, two years ago, three years ago, four years ago but really it’s about our moment and this moment.

“Anfield is a big atmosphere with their supporters, they are a very good team and they [have the] advantage [over] us in their progress and in the last few years.

“In Anfield they have one step more in feeling strong, but it’s not for us, it’s for all.

“We need to take our best performance and to go there with a good feeling and also thinking we can achieve that performance individually and collectively to be strong and to have our chances.

“We are looking to forward to going there and showing that.”

Reds fans should also take note of the possibility of a full debut for the Gunners’ record signing Nicolas Pepe.

Pepe has been restricted to a pair of substitute appearances since his £72million move from Lille, but Emery hinted that he had reached a sufficient level to start.

“I think his individual performances are progressively getting better,” he said.

“For Saturday, he is maybe ready to have more minutes. 

“I am going to decide tomorrow, but really his progress had been positive and has been good for the team and for him.

“The most important piece of the adaptation is to help him to feel easy and be comfortable with us.”

Pepe was one of our reported targets during the transfer window and while he’s clearly an impressive player, a first start here would be a baptism of fire.

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