Arsenal legend Tony Adams has warned the Gunners' hopes of winning the Premier League will be over if they lose to Liverpool.
Arsenal will be seven points behind Liverpool and six points behind defending champions Manchester City if they suffer a second consecutive league defeat on Sunday, with Adams warning they "have to stay in touch" with their rivals.
In an interview with the Sun, Adams said: "This is not quite a must-win game but it is a must-not-lose. We can't lose, because then we would not be far off having more chance of winning the Champions League than the title, even this early.
"At the back end of the season, you will also have a City squad that has been rotated and is full of beans. Usually they don't lose a game. You have to stay in touch with your rivals. If you get to April within three points of the title, you still have a chance."
Arsenal will be without William Saliba for the clash after he was sent off in their 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth last weekend, while captain Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are all injury doubts.
"With Saliba out and the injuries, everything is pointing to an away win," Adams continued. "As soon as Saliba went off against Bournemouth, you saw it fall apart. We lost our balance.
"It's the first time in about three years that we've had a few injuries and it is highlighting weaknesses in the squad. City have got an array of talent. That level of quality throughout your squad makes a difference over the season.
"Liverpool are confident and Mo Salah is on fire but I have a funny feeling Arsenal will get a point. I would love it if we got all three — and if that means getting another red card in the process, so be it."
Liverpool also have several injury problems, with Diogo Jota, Alisson, Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott and Conor Bradley all expected to miss the trip to Arsenal. "I think they feel good but not when it comes to playing for us during the weekend," Reds boss Arne Slot admitted.
"Federico might train with us today or tomorrow – but Diogo definitely not. And Conor Bradley, let's see if he can be with us tomorrow. [Alisson] is progressing well, like we expect. But it's not a short-term recovery."
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