Arsenal vs Liverpool – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Two of the best teams in the Premier League go to battle in North London this Sunday, as Arsenal host Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

It is fourth against second in the Premier League, with huge stakes on the line for both clubs at this early stage of the season.

If Arsenal are victorious they will close the gap to just a single point to Sunday’s opponents, whilst a Liverpool win will see them reclaim top spot.

Mikel Arteta’s squad has been plagued with injuries and misdemeanours which has left the Spaniard with a selection headache, especially defensively.

William Saliba is suspended for the hosts as he serves the one-match suspension he picked up against Bournemouth last weekend for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber are both unlikely to play which limits Arteta’s defensive options, while Bukayo Saka faces a race against time to feature.

Arne Slot will have to do without Diogo Jota for the foreseeable future but has a more than adequate replacement waiting in the wings in Darwin Nunez, who grabbed the winner in the Champions League against RB Leipzig in midweek.

Arsenal vs Liverpool – Match preview and team news

Form

Arsenal: WWWLW

Arsenal continued their unbeaten Champions League record on Tuesday night as they defeated Shakhtar Donetsk courtesy of an unfortunate own goal by goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.

It was not a vintage performance, but the Gunners had enough to edge out the Ukrainian champions in North London.

They will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Premier League as they look to recover from their first loss of the season at Bournemouth last weekend.

Mikel Arteta’s side were numerically disadvantaged for over an hour of the contest after William Saliba was shown a straight red and the Cherries made them pay as goals from Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert goals sank their opposition.

Liverpool: WWWWW

The way Arne Slot has accustomed to English football has been impressive and the Dutchman has shocked many with how quickly he has settled into life at Anfield.

A narrow 1-0 win over RB Leipzig was their eighth successive victory in all competitions and despite the campaign still being in its infancy, they have already kept seven clean sheets.

Liverpool have comfortably got the best defensive record in the division and have only shipped three goals in eight games.

However, Sunday’s game will be Slot’s toughest test yet as it will be the first occasion that the 46-year-old has faced any of the Premier League’s current top five.

Last Meeting: Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool, Premier League, 4th February 2024.

Arsenal flexed their muscle with a statement win at the Emirates Stadium back in February.

The hosts unlocked the Liverpool defence inside 15 minutes as the Gunners cut through their opposition with a free-flowing move.

Neat interplay between Oleksandr Zinchenko and Martin Odegaard saw the latter feed Kai Havertz. The German saw his effort parried by Alisson, but the goalkeeper could only push the ball into the path of Bukayo Saka who had the simple task of finding the back of the untended net.

A miscommunication at the back led to Liverpool equalising in comical fashion as William Saliba hesitated with his clearance, allowing Luis Diaz to flick the ball onto the body of Gabriel who diverted the ball into his own net in first-half stoppage time.

Arsenal came out for the second half with a renewed sense of purpose, and it did not take long for them to regain superiority.

Liverpool made an amateur error of their own when Alisson made a complete mess of his attempted clearance, after Virgil van Dijk had allowed David Raya’s raking pass to bounce, which presented Gabriel Martinelli with an exposed goal begging to be found.

Alisson had another moment to forget as he allowed Leandro Trossard’s tame effort to wriggle underneath his foot to seal a crucial three points for the North London club.

Predicted Lineups

Arsenal: Raya; White, Gabriel, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Partey, Rice; Sterling, Trossard, Martinelli; Havertz

Liverpool: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac, Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Nunez.

Who is the referee?

Anthony Taylor will be the match official. He will be assisted by Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn while Sam Barrott will be the fourth official. The VAR is Michael Sailsbury and he will be assisted by Darren Cann.

What channel is Arsenal vs Liverpool on?

Arsenal vs Liverpool will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Ultra and Sky Go UK.

What time is kick off?

Kick-off at the Emirates Stadium will be at 16:30 GMT on Sunday 27th October 2024.

Odds

Arsenal – 7/5

Draw – 9/4

Liverpool – 2/1

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