A mouthwatering contest at the Emirates Stadium beckons on Wednesday evening when Arsenal play host to Liverpool in the Premier League.
Arsenal are in sublime form of late, having won five consecutive Premier League fixtures to occupy the fourth spot on the table. Mikel Arteta’s side enjoyed a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Leicester City last weekend but will need to work extremely hard to have any chance of beating Liverpool.
Liverpool, on the other hand, are currently second in the table and firing on all cylinders. They are just four points off the table-toppers Manchester City with a game in hand, and having witnessed Pep Guardiola’s side drop points to Crystal Palace on Monday, the Reds will travel to Arsenal with extra motivation.
Arsenal vs Liverpool—Team News
Arsenal
In Takehiro Tomiyasu, Arsenal have just one injury doubt heading into the game. The Japanese international has been struggling with a calf problem in recent times, and even if he recovers in time he will start the game on the bench.
Aaron Ramsdale, who kept a clean sheet against Leicester City on Sunday, will start in goal against Liverpool. Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White are permanent fixtures in central defence, Kieran Tierney has nailed down his position at left-back. Cedric Soares should continue at right-back with Tomiyasu doubtful.
Up ahead in central midfield, there is no looking past Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka. The duo will be tasked to stay as compact as they can and avoid losing possession cheaply in dangerous areas. Martin Odegaard has been in superb form of late and will continue carrying the team’s creative responsibility operating in the no.10 role.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have nailed down their positions in wide areas, and they will look to create problems for the visitors with their pace, dribbling skills and movement. Alexandre Lacazette has led the team very well in recent months and should continue being the focal point of the Gunners attack.
Liverpool
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp gave a positive injury update on Mohamed Salah in his pre-match presser, with the Egyptian forward joining training on Tuesday.
Salah was forced off with a foot problem in the 2-0 win over Brighton on Saturday but the injury is deemed not to be serious. Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate is available after missing the last two games, but James Milner and Kostas Tsimikas are out due to illness.
Starting in the Liverpool goal will be Alisson Becker, who goes into the Arsenal game searching for a fourth clean sheet in a row. A rock-solid back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson is expected to start in front of the Brazilian shot-stopper, but they will have to be on their toes for the entire game to keep an in-form Arsenal attack at bay.
Fabinho will screen the Reds defence from his natural no.6 position, breaking plenty of the opposition’s play whilst allowing the box-to-box midfielders in Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara to play with freedom. They will be expected to challenge Xhaka and Partey to garner control of the midfield.
There should not be any changes to the Liverpool attack that had started against Brighton at the Amex Stadium, if Mohamed Salah is fully fit. Salah will take his usual position on the right with Luis Diaz on the flank, allowing Sadio Mane to wreak havoc from the middle.
Arsenal vs Liverpool—Predicted Lineups
Arsenal Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Aaron Ramsdale; Cedric Soares, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kieran Tierney; Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka; Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli; Alexandre Lacazette
Liverpool Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara; Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Sadio Mane
Arsenal vs Liverpool—Key Players
Arsenal—Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka offers creativity and flair in the Arsenal attack, which could go a long way in troubling the Liverpool defenders. The youngster, who has been immense this season, will look to give Andrew Robertson a run for his money and help the Gunners consolidate their fourth spot.
Liverpool—Mohamed Salah
From Liverpool’s point of view, it is criminal to look past Mohamed Salah, who has been in rollicking form since the start of the campaign. If he is fully fit to start, the Egyptian will be keen to hog the limelight at the Emirates Stadium and take Liverpool to one point off league leaders Manchester City.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool