Arsenal and Liverpool lock horns in an enormous Premier League sport on the Emirates this weekend, with the Gunners doubtlessly weak amid an damage disaster.
Arsenal vs. Liverpool
Premier League (9) | Emirates StadiumOctober 27, 2024 | 4.30pm (GMT)
The Reds gained 1-0 away to RB Leipzig within the Champions League in midweek, on one other wonderful evening for the spectacular Arne Slot.
In the meantime, Arsenal edged out Shakhtar Donetsk by the identical scoreline at house, however Mikel Arteta’s aspect aren’t firing on all cylinders.
Right here’s all you’ll want to know forward of Liverpool’s greatest take a look at of the season thus far.
1. Key damage absences for Liverpool
Liverpool haven’t been damage too badly by accidents this season however they nonetheless have some key points affecting them.
Diogo Jota will miss Sunday’s sport after failing to recuperate from the rib downside picked up at house to Chelsea final weekend.
The Portuguese will probably be an enormous miss, having scored eight occasions in opposition to Arsenal in his profession, six of which have been within the Premier League.
Alisson and Harvey Elliott are long-term absentees, whereas Conor Bradley and Federico Chiesa will doubtless additionally miss out.
2. Arsenal additionally battling health points
Previously few seasons, Arsenal have been lucky within the damage division, typically with the ability to discipline the identical workforce most weeks.
Their luck has modified this time round, nevertheless, with influential attacking duo Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka lacking lately.
The previous is unquestionably out of Sunday’s match and the latter didn’t practice on Friday.
In the meantime, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are additionally absent, whereas star centre-back William Saliba is suspended after his purple card at Bournemouth final weekend.
3. Seven-point hole potential
This season could also be nonetheless in its early levels, however the significance of a Liverpool win on Sunday can’t be ignored.
Victory for Slot’s males would open up a seven-point hole between themselves and Arsenal, handing their opponents an almighty blow.
With Man Metropolis prone to dismantle Southampton on Saturday, the Gunners would even be six adrift of Pep Guardiola’s aspect, leaving their title hopes wanting bleak.
Liverpool should be ruthless, benefiting from a aspect not at their greatest and making the title race look two-horse even at this early stage.
4. Possible Liverpool XI
Liverpool’s workforce ought to look just like the one which confronted Leipzig on Wednesday, with only some tweaks anticipated.
Andy Robertson will doubtless are available in for Kostas Tsimikas, in the one change to the back-line, whereas Curtis Jones will probably be pushing to play too.
Slot’s go-to midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai feels almost definitely to begin, although.
With Jota out, Nunez will lead the road, with Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo battling for minutes on the left wing reverse Mohamed Salah.
The truth that Diaz hasn’t began both of the final two video games means that he’ll are available in.
Potential Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Diaz, Nunez.
5. Who will begin for Arsenal?
As talked about, Arsenal have loads of high-profile absentees, however Arteta will nonetheless have the ability to discipline a robust beginning lineup.
Ben White might slot in at centre-back alongside Gabriel within the absence of Saliba, with Thomas Partey doubtlessly taking over a right-back function.
At left-back, Jakub Kiwior could are available in for the absent Calafiori, with Oleksandr Zinchenko additionally an possibility there.
Raheem Sterling or Leandro Trossard will begin on the proper wing if Saka is out, with in-form pair Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz finishing the assault.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Partey, White, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, Rice, Merino; Trossard, Martinelli, Havertz.
6. Alisson “progressing properly” in damage restoration
Talking in his press convention, Slot offered the newest on Alisson‘s restoration from a hamstring damage:
“Alisson is progressing properly like we anticipate. But it surely’s not a short-term restoration. It’s at all times tough to evaluate him. He’s not on the final stage of his rehab”.
“I don’t anticipate him to be in in opposition to Brighton in subsequent two video games.”
This could possibly be thought-about a optimistic replace, although it will nonetheless be a shock if we noticed Alisson earlier than the following worldwide break.
7. Liverpool’s file on the Emirates
Liverpool have had blended success on the Emirates because it changed Highbury in 2006.
General, they’ve gained solely six occasions there – simply 4 within the league – with a 2-0 FA Cup triumph again in January adopted up by a 3-1 defeat the next month.
The combo-up between Alisson and Virgil van Dijk remains to be contemporary within the reminiscence!
A 4-3 win on the opening weekend of the 2016/17 season was a excessive level on the Emirates, with Sadio Mane leaping on Jurgen Klopp‘s again after scoring an excellent objective.
8. Did You Know?
Salah continues to attain and help at a startling price for Liverpool, and he can transfer increased up the record of all-time Premier League goalscorers this weekend.
The 32-year-old is at present joint-ninth with Jermain Defoe on 162, so discovering the web at Arsenal would put him ninth on his personal.
There may be a fair larger incentive for Salah, nevertheless, with a brace in north London taking him forward of Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler (163).
Thierry Henry (175) would then be inside his sights!
Whereas Alan Shearer’s file tally of 260 objectives is prone to eternally be out of attain, Salah ought to be eyeing second-place Harry Kane’s whole of 213, assuming he stays at Anfield past this season.
9. Anthony Taylor takes cost
We wish to joke about Anthony Taylor’s Manchester previous however there’s a sturdy argument to say that he’s one of the best referee within the nation.
That’s admittedly not saying a lot, however he has carried out properly in Liverpool video games of late, together with the 3-0 win at Man United in September.
Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn are Taylor’s assistants on Sunday, whereas Sam Barrott will act because the fourth official.
In the meantime, Michael Salisbury is on VAR, assisted by Darren Cann.
10. Observe the match with TIA
Arsenal vs. Liverpool will get underway on Sky Sports activities Principal Occasion at 4pm (GMT) after Chelsea‘s house conflict with Newcastle – don’t overlook the clocks return – and kickoff is at 4.30pm.
Harry McMullen is in control of This Is Anfield’s matchday reside weblog, preserving you firm from 3.45pm.
Come on you Reds!
