Arsenal vs Liverpool preview, team news, how to watch, line-ups and predicted score

• Tweet
• Pin It

We have a huge top-of-the-table clash to look forward to as Arsenal take on Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

After a tough period over Christmas and New Year, Arsenal got themselves back to winning ways with a 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace on January 20th. We made it back-to-back wins with a 2-1 defeat of Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night. Arsenal dominated for the vast majority of the game at the City Ground and were deservedly 2-0 up with just minutes remaining. Taiwo Awoniyi pulled one back for Forest in the 90th minute but Arsenal held on to secure a much-needed win.

Unfortunately, Liverpool, Man City and Tottenham also won their midweek fixtures, so Arsenal’s closest rivals all picked up three points. The only side around us to drop points were Aston Villa following their 3-1 home defeat to Newcastle United.

Arsenal now head into the weekend action sitting third in the Premier League table – three points ahead of Spurs and Villa. City are second due to their superior goal difference and they also hold a game in hand. Liverpool are five points clear at the top so Arsenal desperately need a win to close the gap.

Defeat on Sunday would mean Liverpool are eight points clear of Arsenal with 15 games remaining, which would make winning the Premier League this season extremely difficult. However, if Arsenal could secure the win it would close the gap to just two points and blow the title race wide open. So this is a pivotal game in this seasons quest to become champions.

Unfortunately, Liverpool arrive in north London off the back of a fine run of form. Since the draw at Anfield before Christmas, Liverpool have won all their Premier League games, reached the final of the Carabao Cup and progressed to the 5th round of the FA Cup after beating Norwich and defeating Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates back in early January.

They were hugely impressive during the 4-1 victory over Chelsea in midweek. The players seem to be galvanised following Jurgen Klopp’s shock announcement that he’ll leave at the end of the season. On Wednesday, they looked like a team who were determined to send their manager off on a high with a title under his arm. Liverpool dominated Chelsea throughout with ‘heavy metal’ football, so Arsenal are going to have to match that intensity if we’re to get a result on Sunday.

How to watch

Unsurprisingly, given the importance of the game, Arsenal versus Liverpool will be broadcast live on Sky Sports at 4.30pm on Sunday afternoon. Subscribers can watch all the action on their Sky box or via the Sky Go app.

Match going supporters can also buy Arsenal vs Liverpool tickets through the usual club channels or via trusted online resellers.

Team news

Arsenal have been dealt a fresh injury blow with the news that Thomas Partey has suffered another setback in his recovery from a thigh injury. The Ghanaian international has been out since October with the issue and was on the verge of making his comeback this weekend. However, Arteta confirmed at his press conference on Friday that Partey felt his hamstring in training earlier this week and is now facing another spell on the sidelines.

Last month, Fabio Vieira also suffered a setback in his recovery from a groin injury that’s kept him out since November so the attacking midfielder remains on the treatment table this weekend.

Gabriel Jesus is expected to be fit to start up front after recovering from a minor knock. Jurrien Timber is making good progress in his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury and he’s started doing light ball work again. However, the defender is still weeks away from being able to resume full training and is unlikely to play again until next month.

Mohamed Elneny has been away at the African Cup of Nations so he’s not likely to feature on Sunday while Takehiro Tomiyasu is also away on international duty at the Asian Cup.

As for Liverpool, they’ll be without talisman Mo Salah as he’s still recovering from a thigh injury that forced him out of the AFCON earlier than planned. Thiago Alcantara is also still out with a lingering groin issue while Joel Matip won’t play again this season after suffering a serious knee injury in December.

Kostas Tsimikas is out with a should problem, but Darwin Nunez will need to be assessed after picking up a foot injury against Chelsea. There is good news on Alexis MacAllister as he’s expected to be fit after taking a kick to his knee in midweek.

Likely line-ups

Arteta doesn’t have too many big decisions to make so we should see much the same side that started against Forest. Oleksandr Zinchenko should keep his place in defence alongside William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White while Declan Rice will start in midfield.

Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus are all certain to start while Gabriel Martinelli may get the nod over Leandro Trossard on the left flank. The big call is who starts in midfield alongside Rice and Odegaard. Emile Smith Rowe got a rare start in midweek but we could see Kai Havertz recalled on Sunday.

Liverpool are also expected to make minimal changes following their comprehensive win over Chelsea. Klopp has a big decision to make at right-back after Conor Bradley’s MOTM display against Chelsea, but Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to be recalled on Sunday.

Joe Gomez is playing well and could keep his place ahead of Andrew Robertson – who’s only recently recovered from a shoulder injury. If Nunez isn’t fully fit, we could see Cody Gakpo come in to start up front alongside Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz.

Likely Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli

Likely Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Jones, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Jota, Gakpo, Diaz

Predicted score

Arsenal were unlucky to lose the FA Cup clash last month and should have been 4-0 by half-time, so that should give the boys confidence heading into this title clash.

However, Liverpool are in much better form now and they’ll have a stronger team out, so they should be a different proposition on Sunday. Arteta is going to have to ensure his players match Liverpool’s energy and intensity all over the pitch if we want to get a positive result.

Defeat would all-but end our title dreams for another season so this is a must-not-lose game. But we really need a win to get ourselves back in a good position to challenge. My heart says Arsenal will edge it 2-1, but my head says a score draw. Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool

• Tweet
• Pin It