Arsenal are stinging from their midweek defeat to Fleetwood Town, but how different are the Gunners to last season’s Premier League champions?

Liverpool host the north Londoners on Sunday afternoon, in arguably the biggest match of the season so far.

Arsenal are clearly favourites to retain their title this season, but victory for the Reds would put them just three points adrift.

The Gunners aren’t fully clicking yet, having been dumped out of the Carabao Cup by League Two opposition on Tuesday, but their threat is still undeniable.

With a huge game fast approaching, we spoke to Arsenal fan and award-winning illustrator Matty Long (@Matty_Long) to preview the action and dissect the season so far.

How pleased are you with Arsenal’s season to date?

I’m pretty pleased overall.

We’re top of the Premier League, or may as well be, given what will likely happen with Man City.

Has anything changed tactically from last season?

I think there are little shifts in things we do given the personnel on the pitch, but there is no overriding difference in how we play.

It’s all been pretty familiar, which is both reassuring and slightly concerning.

How worrying was the defeat to Fleetwood? Just a blip?

To be honest, I doubt the Carabao Cup was high on any Arsenal fan’s list of hopes and dreams for this season.

It was a bad way to go out, but on the plus side, we’re out.

Are back-to-back titles a given, considering Man City’s issues?

I don’t see it that way at all. It’s up to us to attack it with the same level of hunger we did last season.

The last time City had an off-season, Liverpool came in and won the title with Arne Slot when we thought it was our turn.

We can’t switch off for a second.

What do you think City’s punishment will and should be?

They should receive recurring point deductions for their next few years of Premier League competition, whenever those years may occur.

I don’t see how the ownership should be allowed to continue.

The Gallagher brothers should be banned from all UK stadia, too, so I don’t have to look at them whenever City are on TV.

Though I can’t say I watch much League One!

What do you make of Liverpool under Andoni Iraola?

Liverpool are about where I expected them to be at this point, but there’s still plenty of room to improve.

I don’t think the defence or midfield are clicking at the moment, but they have great attacking players that will cause us and every team problems.

Focusing on Sunday’s game, where are the key battles?

I’m really curious about midfield.

I think we’re stronger there, so will Liverpool go toe-to-toe with us there or look to bypass it completely with the frightening pace they have on the break?

How will Arsenal line up amid injuries and suspensions?

With Bukayo Saka and (potentially) Noni Madueke out, and Max Dowman suspended, I really don’t know what we’ll do on the right-hand side.

It might be a case of starting Jurrien Timber there!

But I expect David Raya, Gabriel, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard to all come back into the starting XI after Tuesday.

Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz did nothing against Fleetwood to suggest they’re ready to start upfront at Anfield, but it will probably be the German up front.

Mikel Arteta can’t be far away from pushing the Mikel Merino emergency striker button, though.

What’s your prediction?

We never win at Anfield, but it’s usually tight and cagey.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal.