Mikel Arteta has urged his Arsenal players to seize the moment in Thursday's north London derby clash with Tottenham Hotspur and seal their Champions League spot for next season.
The Gunners take on their old rivals knowing that victory will secure a top-four finish and a place at European football's top table for the first time in five years.
They hold a four-point advantage over Antonio Conte's side and are aiming to win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time and complete the double over Spurs after beating their neighbours 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium back in September.
And while Tottenham are a different team under Conte than they were under hapless previous manager Nuno Espirito Santo, Arteta insists his team should have the “inner belief” to get the job done.
“For me it’s not about the pressure,” he said. “It’s about having that inner belief that tomorrow is the day and tomorrow we want to achieve what we have earned.
“It’s more about excitement and the opportunity and when you have that in football you have to go and deliver and do it. That’s the mindset we all have for tomorrow.
“When you have the opportunity to achieve one of your objectives in the season, you just cannot wait to play the game because this is a job, and the work you have done throughout the season to try to earn it.
“The message is clear, if we win against them we are in the Champions League next season.
“You don’t need any motivation or to tell them anything more than that. The opportunity is there, we are going to play and go for it like we always do. It’s how we have got into this position, and it’s how we are going to approach it.”
Arsenal 2 Leeds 1: player ratings
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ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale - 7: Had been lazy day in the sunshine for the goalkeeper as Leeds failed to register a single shot off or on target until the 66th minute … only for Llorente to fire home from close-range. AP -
Cedric Soares - 7: Should have made it 3-0 in first half when Leeds clearance landed at his feet but full-back blazed shot over. Sent over dangerous crosses into the Leeds box from the right all afternoon. AFP -
Rob Holding - 7: Little problem dealing with what little Leeds attackers threw at him. An accomplished performance from defender although not exactly up against the most challenging of opposition. Getty -
Gabriel - 7: Earned harsh early booking for sliding challenge on James. Calm and assured effort from centre-half highlighted when Leeds threatened an unlikely late leveller in a rare counter-attack but Brazilian snuffed out the danger before being fouled. Reuters -
Takehiro Tomiyasu - 7: Japanese full-back might have expected a tougher afternoon dealing with likes of Raphina but that certainly wasn’t the case. Well-timed run and ball into box set up chance for Gabriel just after half-time. Booked for foul on James. AFP -
Mohamed Elneny - 8: Very tidy performance at base of midfield. Kept things simple, cannot remember a pass that he wasted and ran the engine room alongside Xhaka and Odegaard. EPA -
Granit Xhaka - 7: Reacted furiously to late Klich challenge in first half when Leeds completely lost the plot and warned by referee following ongoing slanging match with James after break. But that was about as bad as it got for Swiss as Arsenal dominated midfield. PA -
Bukayo Saka - 7: Drilled first-half chance straight at keeper, caused Firpo plenty of problems with his attacking runs as Arsenal ripped Leeds apart at will. Quieter after break and taken off with just over 20 minutes to go. AFP -
Martin Odegaard - 8: At the heart of Arsenal’s flying start out of the blocks. Norwegian’s intricate passing and one-twos with teammates helped tear Leeds defence apart. Denied first-half goal himself when his deflected free-kick from tight angle almost caught out Meslier and sent another shot just wide of target with 15 minutes to go. EPA -
Gabriel Martinelli - 8: Direct running caused chaos in Leeds defence. Brazilian, who grabbed a double at Elland Road in December, teed-up Nketiah’s second goal after surging run down left. Will be wondering how he didn’t score himself after seeing several shots saved and sending another over bar. EPA -
Eddie Nketiah - 8: Attacker continued his recent excellent form with early double - the first after his tackle on dawdling Leeds goalkeeper Meslier sent ball over line, the second a calm finish from Martinelli’s pass after starting move himself. AP -
Emile Smith Rowe - (On for Martinelli 78’) N/A. Reuters -
LEEDS RATINGS: Illian Meslier - 4: Set the tone for Leeds’ day when he was caught in possession by Nketiah that gifted Gunners their opening goal. Saves from Martinelli and Odegaard prevented Arsenal being even further ahead at break. Struggled badly with crosses into box throughout and confidence looked shot. PA -
Luke Ayling - 1: Catastrophic day for captain. Second Gunners goal came when his right flank was ripped open and Ayling almost handed Gunners a third with a clearance that teed-up chance for Soares. Booked for brain dead two-footed challenge on Martinelli that was upgraded to red after VAR check. Reuters -
Robin Koch - 5: Vital clearance in first-half injury-time to divert Odegaard cross over own bar with Arsenal ready to pounce. Relieved when his touch from Odegaard cross just after break dropped to his goalkeeper and not into own net. Getty -
Diego Llorente - 7: Acrobatic clearance off line after Meslier had saved Odegaard free-kick. Important block on Nketiah header just before hour mark. Excellent first-time finish with what was Leeds’ first shot on target from their first corner. Getty -
Junior Firpo - 4: Like rest of team, Spaniard had nightmare first half. Couldn’t handle Saka, tried to play ball out of defence when should have cleared and gave away clumsy fouls. Little better after break although can claim assist for flicking on corner for Llorente goal. Getty -
Kalvin Phillips - 5: England midfielder must have looked on in disbelief at the shambles going on around him but was at fault himself when he failed to track back Nketiah run ahead of second goal. Reuters -
Mateusz Klich - 4: Booked for stupid challenge form behind on Xhaka as Leeds completely lost their heads in opening 45. Second time in consecutive games that Pole has been hooked at half-time. PA -
Jack Harrison - 5: Given runaround by Arsenal from most of the match. One fine run from own half in second half but could only pass the ball straight to an Arsenal defender and final ball let team down on other occasions. AFP -
Daniel James - 6: Like anyone in blue, offered little threat going forward. Involved in running angry exchange with Xhaka in second half. Good tracking back to deny Martinelli run on goal with 13 minutes left and his tackle on Pepe, with Meslier still sprinting back form corner, stopped Frenchman shooting into empty net late on. Getty -
Raphinha - 4: Booked for dissent by referee after Ayling sending off - looked like he might soon also be seeing red as he continued his ranting and had to be dragged away by teammates. Spent second half helping defence in trying to stop Martinelli ... with little success. EPA -
Joe Gelhardt – 4: Young forward was given nod up front but endied up being sacrificed after Ayling’s red card having barely touched the ball as Leeds capitulated in spectacular fashion. Getty -
SUBS: Pascal Struijk - (On for Gelhardt 29’) 6. Brought on after Ayling red card and can at least claim Arsenal failed to add to their two goals after his arrival. PA -
Lewis Bate - (On for Klich 46’) 5. Thankless task for teenager to come on when team was a man and two goals down. Reuters -
Rodrigo - (On for Raphinha 60’) 5. No chance to make his mark until injury time when his flicked header flew straight into Ramsdale’s hands. Reuters
Arteta took charge at the Emirates Stadium in December 2020 and is already ranking this game among his biggest since replacing Unai Emery.
“It’s the most exciting one, probably,” he said. “But we had others when we played finals against Chelsea and Liverpool in the FA Cup and the Community Shield, it was the same.
“In a north London derby, whether you’re a player or the manager, winning is always the best factor. It’s also about how you win it and the experiences you go through during the 95 minutes or so in a game.
“Our players know what to expect and it’s up to them to handle those situations.”
Arteta has confirmed Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Ben White will be assessed ahead of the game. Attacker Saka was taken off during Sunday's win at Leeds, while defender White has not played for the Gunners since the 3-1 victory over Manchester United on April 23 due to a hamstring issue.
“Thomas [Partey] is still out, Kieran [Tierney] is out and with Ben, he is still a doubt,” said the Spaniard. “We have to assess him and see how he is feeling, which is much better, and Bukayo the same.”
Conte has no fresh injury worries and will have the same squad available to pick from that drew at Liverpool on Saturday. Sergio Reguilon, Oliver Skipp, Matt Doherty and Japhet Tanganga are all still missing.
Liverpool 1 Spurs 1: player ratings
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LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6. The Brazilian had very little to do. His defenders left him exposed for Tottenham’s goal. Getty -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 5. The 23-year-old had plenty of possession in dangerous areas but his crossing was too often overhit. He had switched flanks before the Spurs goal and might have got closer to Kane in the build up. PA -
Ibrahima Konate - 6. The Frenchman did well in the air and kept things straightforward on the ground. He was pulled out of position by Kane for the goal. EPA -
Virgil van Dijk - 6. The Dutchman should have followed Kane deeper while the ball was in the air before Tottenham’s goal. He hit the top of the bar with a header from a corner. Getty -
Andrew Robertson - 5. The Scot was in the right back position when Spurs scored and tracked and lost Son. His crossing was ineffective and Tsimikas replaced him in the 64th minute. AP -
Fabinho - 6. The Brazilian was in charge in midfield in the first half but was less effective when Tottenham bypassed him after the break. Withdrawn for Keita with 12 minutes to go. AP -
Thiago Alcantara - 6. The 31-year-old did enough of his trademark stylish passing to catch the eye but rarely looked like unlocking the defence. The killer ball did not happen. AFP -
Jordan Henderson - 6. The captain pressed hard and made himself available for the ball but contributed little going forward. He made way for Jota after 55 minutes. Reuters -
Sadio Mane - 6. The Senegalese chased down ballcarriers and led the press but found it hard to open up the defence. Reuters -
Mohamed Salah - 6. The Egyptian had a frustrating night as Spurs doubled up on him. Davies got in the way of his best effort on goal. EPA -
Luis Diaz - 7. The Colombian was his side’s best attacker. He worried Lloris with a first-half shot and scored the equaliser with a deflected effort. AFP -
SUBS: Kostas Tsimikas (Robertson 64') - 5. His distribution and crossing were disappointing. Reuters -
Diogo Jota (Henderson 65') - 4. The Portuguese never really got going and hardly threatened. Getty -
Naby Keita (Fabinho 78') - 5. The Guinean was unable to change the course of the game. AP -
TOTTENHAM PLAYER RATINGS: Hugo Lloris – 7. The Frenchman made two good saves in the first half but had less work than he might have expected. He could do nothing about Liverpool’s deflected goal. AFP -
Cristian Romero - 7. The Argentine was impressive in the air. His blocks and tackles killed off plenty of danger in an aggressive display. AP -
Eric Dier - 8. The 28-year-old gave a commanding performance at the centre of the defence. He led the way in keeping the opposition at bay. EPA -
Ben Davies - 8. The Welshman’s flying interception of Salah’s shot was the highlight of a fine effort. He put his body on the line to protect the goal. Getty -
Emerson Royal - 7. The Brazilian had his hands full against Diaz but held his own. He started the move that led to Tottenham’s goal. EPA -
Rodrigo Bentancur - 6. The Uruguayan was outmatched in the first half but was better after the break. He was unfortunate to deflect Diaz’s shot into the net. AP -
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 7. The Dane hit the post before half time but should have done better with a free header in the box in the second period, when he tried to pick out Kane rather than going for goal. AP -
Ryan Sessegnon - 7. The 21-year-old had a difficult start but got better. He found space in the Liverpool area and picked out Son for the opening goal. Sanchez replaced him with 12 minutes to go. AFP -
Dejan Kulusevski - 6. The Swede looked to break quickly and showed some nice touches but needed more end product. He faded and made way for Winks with five minutes left. Getty -
Harry Kane - 7. The 28-year-old dragged the defence all over the place in the lead up to his side’s goal. He was not at his goalscoring best but he played an important role for his side. PA -
Son Heung-min - 7. The South Korean was a constant worry for Liverpool with his movement. He was unmarked when he scored. Bergwijn came on for him in stoppage time. AFP -
SUBS: Davinson Sanchez (Sessegnon 78') - N/A. The Colombian helped secure the point for Tottenham. Reuters -
Harry Winks (Kulusevski 85') - 6. The 26-year-old provided a cross for Hojbjerg that should have led to a goal. PA -
Steven Bergwijn (Son 90'+1) - N/A. The Dutchman worked hard during his limited moments on the pitch. AP
