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Kieran Gibbs says his Arsenal side want to send out a “big ­statement” at Liverpool this weekend.

The league-leading Gunners start a daunting run of four games in 11 days which could define their season in terms of the title race, FA Cup and Champions League with a trip to Anfield.

Gibbs, 24, believes a big result on Merseyside in the Saturday lunchtime clash will give out a message of intent for their Premier League and European rivals.

Left-back Gibbs, who helped Arsene Wenger's men beat Liverpool at the Emirates in October, also says it will prove that they can last the distance at the top of the Premier League.

Gibbs said: “I think it would make a big statement if we won there - just like it did when we played Liverpool at home.

“Before that game, we had not played any big games and although we were sitting at the top of the league, people were saying, ‘There’s a big game coming now, that will put it into perspective.’

“It will be like that again because we have got a lot of big games coming up, so it will be another test. As the weeks go on, we are just going to be put under a bigger and bigger test.

“It is not often you get to play Manchester United, Liverpool and Bayern Munich, twice, in less than two weeks. So it will be great to be a part of it – playing against the best teams in the world.

“Everyone enjoys the big games and this is just another big game to show what we can go and do.”

Arsenal sit proudly at the top of the Premier League, yet are seen as the outsiders in a three-horse race with Manchester City and Chelsea.

But there is no lack of healthy confidence within the squad - Gibbs believes the underdogs can win the title and end the north London club’s nine-year wait for silverware.

“There are 14 games left and when you get to this stage it is about being consistent and whoever can perform the best will obviously win the trophy," he said.

“It is February and we are top of the league so you have to have some kind of confidence to think you can win the league. That is the way we want to look at it.

“We have stayed top of the league for a significant part of the season and we are enjoying being top of the league. We are enjoying playing together and that is the most important thing as well.

“I think it is one of the most exciting Premier Leagues that there has been for years and you have to enjoy that and relish it.

“As you saw on Monday night, the tactics were used like that. Chelsea were not so much under pressure as Manchester City because they were not the big spenders.

“Going in as the underdogs takes the pressure off, but we are not looking at the odds of winning the Premier League. We just want to win the Premier League.”

Gibbs also believes that Arsenal’s biggest strength is the spirit in the squad.

There is a British core – Gibbs is hoping his form will give him a World Cup chance – and a strong togetherness.

He added: “Only time will tell what pays off. A lot of the players have been used to playing with each other now over the past two or three seasons. Especially last season when nobody left and we only had additions. That is going to have a positive impact on the team. That is vital as well.

“Everyone gets on well and there is constant banter. The Germans – all they do is moan about the food. And they want German-this or schnitzel-that. Lukas Podolski is always at the centre of some craic that is going on. He is the biggest joker by far.

“I think it is a combination. We have not just got an English one now, we have got a German one, which is very strong, a French one and a Spanish one.

“Every day in training it is fine – everyone is with everyone. But when it is dinner in a hotel, we joke about it being the French, the English and the rest of the world!

"It’s a really strong group.”

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