Arsenal will return to Premier League action after the international break with a tricky trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool today.
Mikel Arteta’s side enter this clash in top form, having won six of their last eight league games. Their stellar recent run has lifted the north London club up to fifth, just two points behind Liverpool, who are among the hot favorites for the Premier League title this season.
Arsenal have a miserable record at Anfield, with their last league win at the venue coming way back in 2012. But the Gunners will be buoyed by the fact that Liverpool’s last three league defeats have come to London opposition — Fulham, Chelsea and West Ham United.
Jurgen Klopp’s side had their 20-game unbeaten run in the league snapped by West Ham just before the international break and they will be keen to bounce back with a dominant display against the Gunners.
Arsenal Team News
Thomas Partey is a doubt for this game as relayed by Arteta even though the Arsenal team news bulletin suggests otherwise. The midfielder missed Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Watford and did not link up with Ghana for national duty.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did not feature in Gabon’s World Cup qualifier against Egypt due to injury, but he trained with the Arsenal squad on Wednesday and should be fit to feature.
Kieran Tierney has also fully recovered from his ankle problems and could start for the first time in five games.
PREDICTED ARSENAL LINEUP vs LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Aaron Ramsdale has kept six clean sheets in nine appearances for Arsenal in all competitions following his arrival from Sheffield United in the summer. He has been sensational between the sticks for the Gunners and will have to put in another top display if Arsenal are to keep a formidable Liverpool attack at bay.
Defenders
Kieran Tierney is fit again and will likely slot in at left-back in place of Nuno Tavares. Tavares has impressed during the Scot’s absence, but Tierney could get the nod given his experience in games of this magnitude.
Mikel Arteta is unlikely to tinker with the rest of the backline. Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White have begun to form a great understanding at the heart of the defence, while Takehiro Tomiyasu has been a revelation at right-back with his energy and aerial prowess and will surely feature in the Arsenal lineup.
Midfielders
If Partey is unavailable, Ainsley Maitland-Niles could slot in alongside Albert Sambi Lokonga in central midfield.
Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka will retain their spots on the flanks in the Arsenal lineup. Smith Rowe has been in great goalscoring form of late, netting four times in his last six games for club and country. He will be one of the first names on the teamsheet for Arsenal.
Saka, meanwhile, should get the nod ahead of Nicolas Pepe due to his work rate and superior defensive capabilities.
Martin Odegaard is also pushing for a start after an impressive cameo against Watford. The Norwegian could replace Alexandre Lacazette in the Arsenal lineup in order to give Arsenal a little more control in midfield.
Attackers
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is expected to be fully fit in time for Saturday’s clash and will lead the line for the Gunners.
