Arsenal vs Liverpool – where to watch, kick-off time, possible line-ups, form guide | OneFootball

Emirates Stadium sets the stage for a standout tie of the FA Cup third round as Arsenal and Liverpool go head-to-head on Sunday.

It’s been a fortnight since the two sides shared the spoils in an action-packed 1-1 draw in Premier League action.

Since both teams are keen to bypass a replay, another deadlock is improbable, but another breathtaking contest seems inevitable.

Where to watch?

Fans in the United Kingdom can watch this mouth-watering encounter on BBC One.

If you’re interested in watching this and other FA Cup games live, you can check out live streams here.

What do you need to know?

Arsenal

Arsenal signed off for 2023 on a sorrowful note, losing back-to-back London derbies against Fulham and West Ham United via an aggregate score of 4-1.

Despite spending Christmas at the top of the Premier League standings, the Gunners lag five points behind pacesetters Liverpool and are desperate to regain some confidence.

Considering their formidable FA Cup record, this fixture could be a welcoming distraction for Mikel Arteta’s out-of-form side as they seek their first title since 2019/20.

Arteta guided Arsenal to the throne in his first season in charge. It was the Gunners’ 14th FA Cup trophy, a haul second to none in the history of football’s oldest cup competition.

With that in mind, it’s unsurprising they’ve only lost three of their last 49 home FA Cup outings on home soil (W36, D10).

Arsenal’s imperious form at the Emirates also increases the likelihood of a fourth consecutive triumph against Liverpool in the tournament.

Liverpool

While Arsenal’s form dwindled towards the end of 2023, Liverpool have performed exquisitely during the festive period.

Following a routine 2-0 victory at Burnley at the tail-end of the last calendar year, Jurgen Klopp’s high-flyers kicked 2024 off with a commanding 4-2 home win against Newcastle United.

Despite failing to score in the first half, the Reds generated a mind-blowing 7.2 xG against the Magpies, highlighting their consistent offensive prowess.

Nothing less would do at the Emirates for the eight-time FA Cup winners if they’re to overcome the first hurdle and potentially lay the foundation for their second title in three years.

In search of good omens, Liverpool have made it out of the FA Cup third round 11 times in their last 12 attempts and had won three consecutive matches against Arsenal in London before a 3-2 loss in October 2022.

Form Guide

Arsenal

Back-to-back Premier League losses at the end of 2023 deepened the crisis at Arsenal, with Arteta’s team now winning just once in their last six competitive outings (D2, L3).

Form (all competitions, most recent first): LLDWDLWWWW

Liverpool’s scintillating triumph against Newcastle marked their eighth win across their last 12 outings (D3, L1). The only slip-up in that sequence came in the Europa League as Klopp’s understrength line-up lost 3-2 at Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

Form (all competitions, most recent first): WWDWDLWWWW

Team News

Arsenal will be without long-term absentees Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey and Fabio Vieira.

Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny have left the Gunners camp for international duties, whereas Oleksandr Zinechenko is dealing with a calf problem and is unlikely to make the squad.

With the Africa Cup of Nations around the corner, Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo won’t be at Klopp’s disposal, but it’s not the end of problems for Liverpool.

Dominik Szoboszlai limped off the pitch against Newcastle due to a hamstring injury, which will rule him out of Sunday’s encounter.

Thiago, Stefan Bajcetic, Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas, Ben Doak and Joel Matip are the remaining members of the Reds’ stacked infirmary.

Possible Starting Line-ups

Arsenal (4-3-3): Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jakub Kiwior; Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli.

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez; Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch; Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz.