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Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal will present Liverpool with a guard of honour, insisting that the Reds have fully earned the tribute.

The Gunners will partake in the pre-match tradition at Anfield ahead of their Premier League clash on Sunday.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk regarded it as a "mark of respect" and anticipated the gesture before their final three matches after Chelsea gave the Reds a guard of honour at Stamford Bridge last weekend.



Arteta, whose Arsenal side have been Liverpool's main contenders for much of the campaign, showed no bitterness.

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Despite stirring some controversy among Liverpool supporters earlier in the week by suggesting Arsenal could have been title contenders if they had secured as many points as in the past two seasons, Arteta praised Arne Slot's champions.

Arteta commented: "They deserve that.

They've been the best team, they've been the most consistent, what Arne [Slot] and the coaching staff have done has been fascinating, it's been really good and they fully deserve it.

"And that's the sport, when somebody is better you have to applaud and accept and try to reach that level."

The Arsenal manager also acknowledged that witnessing the guard of honour might serve as an incentive for his squad next term as they watch their adversaries bask in the triumph of winning the league.

Arteta maintained that despite Arsenal's Champions League semi-final exit, using pain as motivation is crucial.

He said: "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.

"I'm watching it back, I'm watching all the stats.

Obviously we have the best stats and the best goal difference in the semi-final, so 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.

"When you look at the important stats that normally give you the best platform to win football matches, it's crystal clear who was better."


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