Premier League Showdown: Arsenal vs. Liverpool at the Emirates

The Emirates Stadium will take centre stage this weekend, as Arsenal host Liverpool. It is a huge game in the title race. The visitors are the current league leaders, but they will still be missing Mohamed Salah. That hasn’t really held them back in recent weeks, with Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota all contributing in the Egyptian’s absence. The Gunners have fallen away in recent months, but they are still within five points of top place. A win this weekend puts them bang in the race.

Arsenal’s Recent Form and Strategy

Arsenal have won their last two league matches. Despite this, they didn’t look overly convincing against Nottingham Forest. They struggled to break down the deep block and relied on poor goalkeeping from Matt Turner to take the lead. In their previous matches against top teams this season, they have opted to keep things tight. That won’t work this weekend, as Liverpool are so explosive. Although the visitors have a good attack, they do concede chances, especially away from home. If Arsenal are positive in their approach, they will have a better chance of winning.

Liverpool’s Quest for the Title

Liverpool will be looking to win their second Premier League title to ensure Jurgen Klopp goes out on a high. It won’t be easy to come out on top, as Manchester City and Arsenal are both good teams. They will realise that this weekend is huge and they will approach it with that attitude. Unlike their hosts, they have recent title winning experience and that will help them on Sunday.

Player Spotlights: Key Men in the Clash

Gabriel Martinelli enjoys playing against Liverpool. He has contributed four goals and two assists against the Reds.

Liverpool haven’t failed to score against Arsenal in their last 16 Premier League matches against them. The last time they failed to score was in August 2015.

Bukayo Saka

As this is a big game, Arsenal will be relying on their key men to step up and perform. If these players want to go on and win the title this season, they need to be at their best on Sunday. Bukayo Saka will be very important, due to Liverpool’s uncertaintly down their left side. Either Joe Gomez will be playing out of position, or Andy Robertson will be making his first start since his return from injury. That could be a key battle in the context, as Saka has been performing very well and at a consistent level. The England international got another goal during the week, to take his tally to seven this season. He also has seven assists to his game.

Diogo Jota

It has been an excellent few weeks for Diogo Jota, as he has emerged as the most reliable attacking threat in the absence of Salah. Darwin Nunez is box office, but he still can’t be relied on to score the goals. Meanwhile, Jota looks like he is going to take every chance that comes his way and his movement in the final third is quality. He now has four goals and one assist in his last four matches. Jota will be the attacker that Arsenal are most worried about. If chances come his way on Sunday, you would back him to take them.

Team News and Predictions

Thomas Partey has suffered a setback in his recovery and will not be available this weekend. Gabriel Jesus is fit to start, but Takehiro Tomiyasu is still away on international duty.

Alexis Mac Allister took a knock during the week, but he should be fit to start. Mohamed Salah and Kostas Tsimikas are injured are injured, while Wataru Endo is away with Japan.

It is going to be a great game for the neutral and goals will be expected. Arsenal might try to keep it tight, but Liverpool’s fire power will make that difficult. If there is an early goal, there could be a lot more to follow. The visitors are in better form and playing with more fluency. That said, the home advantage and the occasion will get Arsenal up for it. A score draw could be a good prediction.