Arsenal manager Arteta clarifies if a guard of honour will be extended to Liverpool at Anfield.

Arsenal Set to Honor Liverpool as Mikel Arteta Praise's Arne Slot's "Fascinating" Season

In a twist of sportsmanship, Arsenal will lavish Liverpool with a guard of honour when they visit Anfield on Sunday. The Reds cemented their Premier League title with four matches to spare last month, leaving their rivals in their wake.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's manager, lauded Liverpool's remarkable achievement, citing their consistency and Arne Slot's coaching prowess as key factors in their success. He praised Slot's work at Anfield this season, calling it "fascinating" and "really good."

Liverpool previously received a guard of honour from Chelsea last weekend before the Blues clinched a 3-1 victory. Arteta was asked if this pre-match ritual could serve as motivation for Arsenal. He responded, "Yes, something that has to drive you, motivate you, and pain probably is a good one to use sometimes when you don't really want to do something but it's the right thing to do, usually as a motivation for next season."

The Gunners are currently in second place with just three matches remaining, but their Champions League qualification remains uncertain. A win this weekend could secure their place in next season's tournament.

Looking ahead to next season's title race, Arteta acknowledged Liverpool's dominance but emphasized the presence of numerous contenders. He surmised, "They will hold that trophy and somebody has to come and take it out of their hands."

Arsenal's first post-Champions League match will be their trip to Merseyside, a poignant reminder of their semi-final elimination by Paris Saint-Germain. Arteta maintained his side was the better team throughout the tournament, despite the loss. He asserted, "100%. I'm watching it back, I'm watching all the stats. It's very clear. But it's not about the winning probability or what you've managed, it's actually making it happen and making it count."

A Brief History of Guard of Honour in the Premier League

The custom of a guard of honour in the Premier League dates back to the 1954/55 season. Teams line up on either side of the pitch as the champions walk through, symbolizing respect for their accomplishment. Though not mandated by official rules, it is a tradition deeply rooted in English football.

Notable Examples of Guard of Honour

Everton gave a guard of honour to Manchester United in 2003.
Manchester United returned the gesture to Chelsea in 2005.
Liverpool received one from Chelsea in 2015.
Seven teams, including Arsenal, paid their respects to Liverpool in 2020, both at Anfield and the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal's Previous Encounters with Liverpool

In 1979, Liverpool received a guard of honour from Leeds after clinching their third title in four years. In 2020, Arsenal extended similar courtesies to Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium. With their upcoming visit to Anfield, the Gunners are set to honor Liverpool once again, this time as the new Premier League champions.

Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, has indicated that the pre-match ritual of a guard of honour could serve as motivation for his team during their upcoming clash with Liverpool.
Arsenal is currently in second place in the Premier League, with just three matches remaining, and their Champions League qualification remains uncertain.
In an interview, Arteta acknowledged the presence of numerous contenders for next season's Premier League title, along with Liverpool, who have dominated the league in recent years.
Prior to their clash with Liverpool, Arsenal will pay tribute to the Champions League-bound Reds, replicating a tradition deep-rooted in English football that dates back to the 1954/55 season.
In a historic season, Liverpool has already received several guards of honour from rivals such as Chelsea and seven teams, including Arsenal, both at Anfield and the Emirates Stadium in 2020.
This season, Arsenal has already honored Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium, and their upcoming visit to Anfield marks a third such encounter between the two clubs.
Arsenal's first post-Champions League match will be their trip to Merseyside, with the players and the fans hoping to motivate themselves for the European-leagues challenge ahead, overtaking the dominance of the champions, Liverpool.