Lingard: Our confidence is flowing at the moment

The Reds earned back-to-back Premier League wins against Newcastle United and Burnley over Christmas, which has helped us close the gap to fourth-placed Chelsea.

Our trip to Arsenal on New Year's Day will be another big test, but after ending 2019 with two hard-fought wins, Jesse is looking to start 2020 on the right foot.

“We take a lot of belief [from those wins] and the confidence is flowing at the moment,” our no.14 said. 

“Away games are always tough and you get your hostile atmospheres, but we’re used to that and as long as we stick to our gameplan and our tactics, then hopefully we can win the game. Confidence and focus is very important.

“It could be a game where Arsenal have a lot of the ball, or we have a lot of the ball, but we’re a very good counterattacking team and a very good transition team, so hopefully we can catch them on the break here and there. 

“We’ve done it most times when we’ve played them away, so that will hopefully be one of our strong points.”

The Gunners, of course, are something of an unknown under the stewardship of new manager Mikel Arteta - who will take charge of his third match on Wednesday - but Jesse believes the Reds have to focus on our own game at the Emirates Stadium.

“It can be difficult if you don’t know the style of play [when a new manager comes in],” he admitted. “But we’ll be well prepared and it’s about focus and concentration and keeping that consistency in every game, and having the same mentality.”

Lingard has enjoyed facing Arsenal over the years - in fact, he’s scored more times against the Gunners (4) than any other opponent. The attacker has flourished during recent trips to the Emirates, netting three times in as many appearances at the ground.

“I’ve got good memories from some goals there,” he said, with a grin. “But I always take more joy out of winning the game with the team and taking the three points. Any away game against a top team is an important one.”