Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn has warned that Gunners left-back Riccardo Calafiori could struggle against the pace of Liverpool's wingers ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash at Anfield

Former Arsenal left-back Nigel Winterburn believes current Gunners defender Riccardo Calafiori may find it difficult to cope with Liverpool's rapid wide players should he feature in that role at Anfield on Sunday.

Italian international Calafiori, while recruited predominantly as a centre-half, has emerged as Mikel Arteta's preferred option in the position for high-profile fixtures, and frequently receives praise for his attacking contributions, having notched two goals and two assists across his 10 outings this campaign.

However, Winterburn, who secured three league championships and two FA Cups during his time with Arsenal, holds reservations about his defensive capabilities, especially when facing Liverpool's quick-footed attacking options Bradley Barcola, Rio Ngumoha, Cody Gakpo and Victor Munoz, who will be hoping to shake off injury concerns ahead of Sunday's encounter.

OPINION

Speaking about Liverpool's wide players with Virgin Bet, Winterburn said: "I'd love to have played against them all. I would relish the opportunity to play against any of those players because you're testing yourself against the best.", reports the Liverpool Echo.

"They've got pace, they've got ability. For me, I didn't want to play against the more skilful players. I didn't want them to keep moving the ball, it makes it more difficult for you to keep readjusting.

'I'm assuming it'd be Calafiori (starting left-back on Sunday), so I would suggest maybe he doesn't want to come up against that - someone with too much pace."

Despite his reservations about Calafiori, Winterburn believes that a favourable outcome at Anfield would significantly boost the Gunners' pursuit of back-to-back Premier League titles, especially with potential sanctions hanging over Manchester City.

Nevertheless, he suggested the squad will be smarting following their shock Carabao Cup elimination by League Two outfit Fleetwood Town.

"Mikel Arteta will not want to lose back-to-back games, that's for sure," Winterburn continued. "And if they do, with only one Premier League game before they go into an international break, that would obviously put more pressure onto winning that next game.

"But you know, they're level on points with Man City. Nobody knows what's going to happen with Manchester City. Even if Man City won, and we (Arsenal) lost three points, I don't think you can determine anything at this stage of the season. It's going to be a fairly close-run Premier League again this season.

"I think a lot of people are expecting something quite big to happen to Manchester City. If it doesn't, then I think Man City will be very, very close behind them (Arsenal)."