Liverpool risk handing Arsenal Premier League dominance, but Arne Slot must avoid 'perfect' signing- opinion

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Arsenal are miles ahead of Liverpool in the Premier League this season, with Mikel Arteta eyeing his first league title as manager.Back in September, Arne Slot’s men were favourites to win the Premier League, but much has changed in just two months.Liverpool lost to Manchester City last time out, their fifth league defeat in six outings.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Arsenal, on the other hand, are thriving and have already opened up an eight-point gap between themselves and the current champions.Now, as well as vying for the title, the two English heavyweights are said to be interested in completing a deal for the same player.

Who will win Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest on Saturday? Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images Liverpool and Arsenal linked with Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe MatetaThe Merseyside outfit were linked with a move for Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace back in July.At the time, Liverpool fans only wanted Mateta as a back-up option to their main number nine.The Frenchman ended up remaining at Selhurst Park over the summer, but transfer interest in the player is said to remain.A report from Caught Offside this week explained how Palace are trying to tie the striker down to a new contract amid his current deal expiring in just over 18 months.But negotiations are thought to be still ongoing, and it’s said that the longer they continue, the more encouragement interested parties Arsenal and Liverpool will have.However, while he is a proven Premier League striker, it is a deal Liverpool must avoid.Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty ImagesLiverpool might have to let Arsenal sign Jean-Philippe MatetaAfter Palace beat Aston Villa in an FA Cup semi-final last season, Alan Shearer called Mateta ‘perfect’ when speaking live on the BBC.He said: “Jean-Philippe Mateta’s a nightmare to play against.“He’s doing his job superbly well.

Great for his teammates that Jean-Philippe Mateta is prepared to do that.“We have spoken so many times about his great forward play. The timing of the tackle was just perfect.”Despite the praise, Liverpool already have two expensive strikers who Slot is struggling to fit into his system.Hugo Ekitike has shone at times in 2025/26, but given that Alexander Isak is the new British transfer record, he has to play regularly when fit.It’s going to be a tricky balancing act for the Liverpool manager, and adding a third centre-forward to the mix would only make it even harder.However, if the Reds don’t end up signing Mateta and he moves to Arsenal, that could be a serious problem.The Gunners are already dominating at the top of the Premier League, enjoying much success from set-pieces.And given Mateta’s aerial threat, he could become even more lethal under Mikel Arteta.