EPL Match Preview, Round 23: Arsenal Vs Liverpool

Written By Albert Echatah

When third-place Arsenal plays Liverpool for the third time in two months, all eyes will be at the Emirates for what looks to be an exciting Premier League match on Sunday afternoon.

Both teams strengthened their title chances in midweek, with the Gunners defeating Nottingham Forest 2-1 and Jurgen Klopp’s men ruthlessly crushing Chelsea 4-1.

Arsenal

After Arsenal’s incredible victory, the Gunners briefly moved up to second position in the table. However, Manchester City, who are only ahead on goal difference but have a game in hand, have since moved up to third place, and Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are still riding high on the heels of last year’s runners-up.

With six victories from their previous seven top-flight games at the Emirates Stadium (a 2-0 loss to West Ham United being the lone exception), vengeance will be the featured dish on the North London menu this weekend as Arteta’s team looks to exact revenge for an identical FA Cup loss to their Merseyside rivals.

Form

Two mistakes finally undid Forest’s hard-earned defensive work. First, former Gunners keeper Matt Turner let a Gabriel Jesus strike squirm through his legs at his near post, and then World Cup winner Gonzalo Montiel carelessly gave away the ball and was helpless to stop Bukayo Saka from finishing off the counterattack.

Player’s to watch

Bukayo Saka has scored 7 goals and provided 7 assists in 21 EPL matches for the Gunners. The Englishman was responsible for scoring Arsenal’s second goal against Nottingham Forest by scoring a second half brace.

Liverpool

Liverpool has started their legendary manager’s farewell parade with a customary glut of Anfield goals, putting five past Norwich City in the FA Cup before outclassing and outwitting Chelsea on Wednesday night. This is Liverpool’s first road trip since Jurgen Klopp’s unexpected departure announcement.

Only a few weeks ago, Klopp orchestrated an incredible 2-0 FA Cup victory on Arsenal’s home field—a match in which Arteta’s team was left to lament a plethora of wasted opportunities. However, by emerging from Anfield with a point in a 1-1 December draw, the Gunners made it three Premier League games without a loss against the Reds ahead of Sunday’s historic 200th league encounter.

Form

Conor Bradley put on an incredible show, scoring his first senior goal for the Reds and setting up goals for Diogo Jota and Dominik Szoboszlai. Bradley became the youngest Liverpool player to set up multiple goals in a Premier League match in five years. Luis Diaz also participated in the Anfield act.

Player’s to watch

Diogo Jota has scored 4 goals and provided 1 assist in his last 5 games for the Merseyside giants. The Portuguese forward has scored 8 goals and provided 2 assists in 16 EPL games for Liverpool.

Team News

Although Takehiro Tomiyasu is still pushing Japan for Asian Cup gold, Fabio Vieira (groyne) and Jurrien Timber (ACL) are still recovering, and Mohamed Elneny is scheduled to return to domestic duty after Egypt’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Klopp is hopeful that Alexis Mac Allister, who suffered a knock to the knee in the final moments of the victory over Chelsea, will be fit despite the absence of Wataru Endo (international), Mohamed Salah (muscle), Kostas Tsimikas (collarbone), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Ben Doak (knee), Joel Matip (knee), and Thiago Alcantara (hip).

Head-To-Head

Arsenal and Liverpool have played 65 games since 1995. Among them, Arsenal have won 19 games while Liverpool have won 25 games, there has been 25 draws between both teams.

Hot stat

Liverpool have the edge in this fixture over the years.

Possible Lineup

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

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

Verdict

A few Arsenal supporters might still be scratching their heads over how their team lost the FA Cup match against Liverpool last month. Liverpool withstood a great deal of Arsenal pressure before dealing two lethal blows, and their victory over Forest was hardly a convincing one. Arsenal 1-2 Liverpool

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