Arsenal are set to host Liverpool in a top-notch clash at the Emirates that could effectively have a big say in the title race.
Arsenal, coming off consecutive wins in the Premier League, are getting ready for the big clash against Liverpool at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta had wanted a stern response from his players after three losses in a row, and the wins over Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest indeed served as an answer of sorts.
Gabriel Jesus was the star of the show away at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, a venue where Arsenal had not won in their last three visits. The Brazilian scored the opener and provided the second for Bukayo Saka to double the lead. The Gunners ended the game in a wobbly fashion after Taiwo Awoniyi got a goal back but took the three points in the end.
As for facing this Liverpool side, Arsenal may have a lot more to lose than their Reds. The Gunners sit five points behind their rivals on the table in third, and a win would bring them closer and firmly back into the race. However, a loss would mean eight points for Arteta’s men to claw back, which in the current climate of the Premier League will seem like a mountain to climb.
Liverpool are also coming on the back of a fantastic period of football across all competitions as the Reds are firmly settled on all fronts. Jurgen Klopp seemed up for the challenge to take on their title rivals, as his team made a statement of sorts by beating Chelsea 4-1 at Anfield.
Manchester City are the closest team breathing down Liverpool’s neck. They might be five points away. But Pep Guardiola’s men have a game in hand over the Reds. Hence, the title race does seem like a tight one for the remainder of the season, one where Klopp would love to triumph.
The game against Arsenal is crucial from Liverpool’s point of view, as they must beat the Gunners. They did taste victory at the Emirates recently in the FA Cup. But expecting the North Londoners to squander their chances in the Premier League will be an underestimating Arteta’s charges, as we are set for one monumental game of football on Sunday.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
Jurrien Timber and Fabio Vieira were the expected absentees for this clash, with the former still a long way off returning to action following his ACL injury earlier in the season. The latter may have built some fitness lately, especially during Arsenal’s trip to Dubai. But he remains out for the time being.
Despite Thomas Partey resuming training last week, Mikel Arteta has revealed the midfielder has had a setback after he felt something in the same area. Hence, the Ghanaian remains out for the Liverpool encounter, meaning the Arsenal manager must rely on his current options.
Kai Havertz started from the bench in midweek, which saw Emile Smith Rowe make the first Premier League start in a long time. That decision was a hint at the German starting against Liverpool on Sunday, with Arteta likely to keep him, Declan Rice and Martin Odegard in the midfield three.
The rest of the squad will likely stay intact, with Gabriel Jesus set to lead the line for the Gunners. Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will provide the wide options, while Arsenal will stock a strong bench consisting of Jorginho, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard, Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Liverpool
While Jurgen Klopp mentioned having a good number of players available for selection, there are still multiple problems for the manager to deal with. Following the Chelsea game, there are some doubts over a few of the starters in that clash, including Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez.
The Argentine suffered a knock in the closing stages, and Nunez reportedly left the stadium in a protective boot, as per Klopp. The manager did cast doubt over the striker’s participation, as the Uruguayan’s absence could force him to shuffle his pack.
Mohamed Salah also remains absent as he has yet to recover from a hamstring problem he suffered during the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt. Diogo Jota has done an excellent job in the Egytian’s absence. But if Nunez is absent, the Portuguese may come under pressure to take on the attacking burden. For now, one should assume both Jota and Nunez start, along with Mac Allister, at the Emirates.
Meanwhile, Klopp has a real conundrum about replacing Conor Bradley, who scored once and provided two assists in the win over Chelsea. Even though Trent Alexander-Arnold has regained his fitness, there are questions about whether the manager would bring his star right-back at Bradley’s expense. Still, given the importance of the game, the England international might start after all.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones; Jota, Nunez, Diaz
Key Stats
- Liverpool have scored at least four goals in their last three matches in the Premier League.
- Liverpool are undefeated in their last 15 matches in the Premier League.
- Liverpool have scored at least two goals in their last five away matches against Arsenal in all competitions.
- Arsenal averages 58.1 progressive passes per match, the most among teams in Europe’s top-five leagues.
- Bukayo Saka has scored or assisted in his last three Premier League games.
Player to Watch
Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus has never lost a Premier League game in which he has scored:
WWDWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWDWWWWWWWWDWWWWWWWDDWWWWWW
60 games unbeaten.👏 pic.twitter.com/iAC4x2yqz2
— Squawka (@Squawka) January 30, 2024
Gabriel Jesus and Diogo Jota were the pick of this weekend. But we went with Jesus for his mixed performance in the Nottingham Forest game. While the Arsenal fanbase has been somewhat critical of their No.9 for reasons like not getting into good positions often and his inability to pull the trigger with regularly, the striker answered a few critics with his performance in midweek.
At Arsenal, Jesus has a unique role to play, which enables him to drop deep or go wide, at which point Arteta clearly wants the third midfielder to drop into that centre-forward position, which is why Kai Havertz was signed in the first place. However, there are questions about the Brazilian’s display in big games. Still, he had a fantastic outing against Manchester City earlier, and the manager will hope for a similar impact against Liverpool.
Prediction
Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
Could this game be a repeat of the Anfield result, albeit with more goals on board? Possibly because the two teams are very well equipped to keep the backline quiet as well as score goals, which makes it very tricky to predict an accurate result.
Arsenal might have an upper hand in proceedings due to home advantage. But they must be at their efficient best to get a win against Liverpool. Hence, Mikel Arteta’s side could have an edge here and nick the three points with a slender scoreline. Another classic clash, like the one in 2017, beckons.
