Arsenal and Liverpool lock horns in an enormous Premier League sport on the Emirates this weekend, with the Gunners doubtlessly susceptible amid an harm disaster.
Arsenal vs. Liverpool
Premier League (9) | Emirates StadiumOctober 27, 2024 | 4.30pm (GMT)
The Reds received 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 it’s worthwhile to know forward of Liverpool’s largest check of the season to this point.
1. Key harm 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 get better from the rib downside picked up at house to Chelsea final weekend.
The Portuguese shall be an enormous miss, having scored eight occasions towards 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 seemingly additionally miss out.
2. Arsenal additionally combating health points
Up to now few seasons, Arsenal have been lucky within the harm division, typically having the ability to discipline the identical group most weeks.
Their luck has modified this time round, nonetheless, with influential attacking duo Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka lacking just lately.
The previous is certainly 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 attainable
This season could also be nonetheless in its early phases, 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 trying bleak.
Liverpool need to be ruthless, benefiting from a aspect not at their finest and making the title race look two-horse even at this early stage.
4. Probably Liverpool XI
Liverpool’s group ought to look just like the one which confronted Leipzig on Wednesday, with just a few tweaks anticipated.
Andy Robertson will seemingly are available for Kostas Tsimikas, in the one change to the back-line, whereas Curtis Jones shall 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.
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 powerful beginning lineup.
Ben White may 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 for the absent Calafiori, with Oleksandr Zinchenko additionally an possibility there.
Raheem Sterling or Leandro Trossard will begin on the suitable 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 effectively” in harm restoration
Talking in his press convention, Slot offered the newest on Alisson‘s restoration from a hamstring harm:
“Alisson is progressing effectively like we anticipate. However it’s not a short-term restoration. It’s all the time tough to guage him. He’s not on the final stage of his rehab”.
“I don’t anticipate him to be in towards Brighton in subsequent two video games.”
This could possibly be thought-about a optimistic replace, although it might nonetheless be a shock if we noticed Alisson earlier than the subsequent worldwide break.
7. Liverpool’s file on the Emirates
Liverpool have had combined success on the Emirates because it changed Highbury in 2006.
General, they’ve received 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 combination-up between Alisson and Virgil van Dijk remains to be recent 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 purpose.
8. Did You Know?
Salah continues to attain and help at a startling fee for Liverpool, and he can transfer larger up the listing of all-time Premier League goalscorers this weekend.
The 32-year-old is at the moment joint-ninth with Jermain Defoe on 162, so discovering the online at Arsenal would put him ninth on his personal.
There’s an excellent larger incentive for Salah, nonetheless, 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 ceaselessly be out of attain, Salah needs 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 prefer to joke about Anthony Taylor’s Manchester previous however there’s a sturdy argument to say that he’s the perfect referee within the nation.
That’s admittedly not saying a lot, however he has carried out effectively 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 answerable for This Is Anfield’s matchday reside weblog, protecting you firm from 3.45pm.
Come on you Reds!
