'It is special for me': Arteta says he relishes games against Liverpool

For Mikel Arteta, any game against Liverpool stirs the juices. ‘Once a blue, always a blue,’ a mantra those with deep-rooted Everton connections live their life by.

Having spent six years on Merseyside, Arteta is familiar with the sentiment. He knows what it’s like to exist in the shadow of the red half across Stanley Park. He’s lived and breathed the rivalry.

Of course, Arteta’s allegiances are very much of the red persuasion at the moment. But it’s the reds of north London who have stolen his heart.

Yet some things never change; again it is Liverpool who are threatening to ruin his party.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are top of the Premier League, five points clear of fourth-placed Arsenal.

And then there’s the small matter of Sunday. The Emirates Stadium. FA Cup third round. Liverpool.

Arteta is fully Arsenal. But does the Evertonian in him come out to play on such occasions?

‘It is special for me and I have so many memories from playing against them [Liverpool],' explained Arteta, who revealed Thomas Partey is still ‘weeks’ away from making a first team return.

‘They are a top side and it requires a big operation. A lot of preparation and that’s what we have to do.

'That was proved again a week or two ago when we played them at Anfield - it was an incredible match. I hope it will be a very good match again.

'We are really happy with the atmosphere that we have created at the Emirates. It has been really supportive.

‘Can we tweak it and make it even more hostile? I think we can. That’s the next step in my opinion.

'We have to be so grateful for what we’re achieving in our home ground. Sunday is going to be another big one.’

Arsenal versus Liverpool could well develop into becoming the narrative that defines the season.

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