The Gunners, last year’s runners-up, enjoyed strong start to the campaign but stuttered over the winter period, with Mikel Arteta’s men managing just one in seven matches in all competitions across a barren spell.
Arsenal have, though, recovered with back-to-back victories over Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest to stay within five points of leaders Liverpool ahead of the sides’ eagerly anticipated meeting at the Emirates.
A rampant Liverpool have suffered just one defeat all season in the English top flight which came on their last trip to north London back in September, when Joel Matip’s last-minute own goal handed Tottenham a 2-1 win.
Jurgen Klopp’s decision to step down at the end of the campaign has added an extra motivation for Liverpool’s squad and Seaman believes Arsenal have a tremendously ‘tough’ game ahead.
‘It’s a statement game. When I look at Liverpool I just see a team that’s on form, I see a great team, I see a great squad. For us to take points off them would be massive,’ the ex-Arsenal and England goalkeeper said on the Seaman Says podcast.
‘I see this as very similar to the Manchester City game, when City came to the Emirates, and it’s a chance of making a statement and making people talk a little more about Arsenal because, at the moment, all the talk is about City and Liverpool.
‘We need to get back into that equation and that starts by, I was going to say getting a point… but I’m thinking three points. But it’s going to be so tough.’
Seaman urged Arsenal’s players to look to their 1-0 victory at home Mancheser City back in October for inspiration when they take to the field against Liverpool.
‘These are the games you’ve got to win, there’s no doubt about it. Especially at home.
‘We made the statement against City and when you get a chance like that with their star players out it’s even more of a boost.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gives a thumbs up
Arteta’s men are five points adrift of leaders Liverpool (Picture: Getty)
‘But it also adds a little bit more pressure because people will be thinking we’re going to beat them because they haven’t got Salah.
‘When you look at that frontline, [Diogo] Jota comes in and he’s deadly and their replacement are still mega players so it will be difficult but it’s a chance for Arsenal to make that statement.
‘It’s time to get back to business and these are the games that count. Take points off the teams above you and that’s what matters.’
Asked for his score prediction, Seaman replied: ‘I’m going to go for 1-0 to Arsenal. I quite like that score.’
Liverpool players celebrate
Liverpool have lost just once in the Premier League this season (Picture: Getty)
Liverpool will be without the injured Mohamed Salah at the Emirates, but Seaman told Arsenal’s defence to be wary of the threat posed by Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez in the Egyptian’s absence.
‘We’d take quite a few of their frontline at Arsenal, if I’m honest,’ he added.
‘It’s something where we’ve been lacking this season, there’s no doubt about that.
‘You’d take any of them. I see Jota doing his incredible finishing again last weekend and even in the FA Cup. His finishing is fantastic and it’s deadly.
‘On top of that, you’ve got [Darwin] Nunez scoring goals now and when Salah comes back he always scores goals, so you’d probably take that frontline and a few others.’
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