Arsenal will play Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium today evening in what looks
the standout game of this weekend's Premier
League fixtures.
The Reds arrive unbeaten in the league
and behind leaders Manchester City only on goal
difference, while the home side are unbeaten in 13 in all competitions but face
one of their top four rivals for the first time since back-to-back losses
against Manchester City and Chelsea in the first two games of the Unai Emery era.
But how will they line up?
Arsenal's biggest problem comes at
full-back. Granit Xhaka has played as a makeshift left-back in the last few
weeks, but the Gunners are hopeful of having at least one of Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac fit,
while midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles is back from a broken leg and deputised
at wing-back regularly under Arsene Wenger.
On the opposite flank, Hector Bellerin was
ruled out of EFL Cup action with a thigh injury, but could return to the team.
Matteo Guendouzi is suspended after his red card against Blackpool,
so Xhaka is likely to slot back into midfield alongside Lucas
Torreira.
Going forward, much depends on whether
Emery goes for both Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the
off.
Liverpool had no mid-week action to
deal with, but remain without both Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita through
injury.
After rotating their full-backs last
week, Andy Robertson should return at left-back, though Trent Alexander-Arnold
could keep his place if Joe Gomez is restored to the heart of the defence.
Jurgen Klopp switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation for the home clash
with Cardiff, but is expected to revert to 4-3-3, sacrificing Adam Lallana for
James Milner in midfield.
Mo Salah is fit to start, despite sparking concerns by training
with his wrist in a splint this week, which means that Xherdan Shaqiri is
likely to be left on the bench again, despite some impressive recent cameos.
Predicted line-ups:
Arsenal
XI: Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Monreal,
Xhaka, Torreira, Iwobi, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette
Liverpool XI: Alisson,
Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Milner, Wijnaldum, Mane,
Salah, Firmino
Players to watch: Granit Xhaka scored a screamer versus Liverpool in
last season’s 3-3 draw, and also hit an unstoppable shot last weekend against
Palace. Meanwhile, Roberto Firmino has scored five goals in his last five games
versus Arsenal.
Stat attack: Eight of the last ten H2Hs produced over 3.5 goals,
while eight also saw both teams score.
Arsenal have
won 14 of their last 16 competitive home games (D1, L1).
Liverpool have conceded just two competitive first-half goals
this season and have a league-high eight HT/FT wins.
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