Arsenal vs. Liverpool Preview – The Gunners battle injury woes ahead of this huge clash!
Arsenal host Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in a pivotal clash that could have major implications for the Premier League title race. For Mikel Arteta’s side, the timing couldn’t be worse. Already grappling with the absence of captain Martin Ødegaard, Arsenal are now dealing with the suspension of William Saliba and the likely unavailability of key players Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber due to injuries. The Gunners’ recent loss to Bournemouth has left them in a precarious position, and another defeat would see them fall seven points behind their Merseyside rivals.
Arsenal have had a rocky start to the season with 3 red cards in 8 games and have dropped 7 points out of the possible 9 in those games. pic.twitter.com/mUsD7w1j1O
— 365Scores (@365Scores) October 20, 2024
Meanwhile, Liverpool, revitalised under new boss Arne Slot, look like a team reborn. The Reds have been in electric form, racking up 11 wins in 12 matches across all competitions, including a hard-fought 1-0 victory over RB Leipzig midweek. With momentum firmly on their side, they’ll arrive in North London full of confidence, looking to strike a major blow in the title race.
Arsenal take on Liverpool in a pivotal clash
Team News:
Arsenal
Arsenal’s defensive options are looking increasingly thin ahead of the showdown with Liverpool. Mikel Arteta will have to cope without William Saliba, who is serving a suspension, while Riccardo Calafiori faces a race against time as he undergoes tests on a knee injury.
Adding to the Gunners’ concerns, Arteta has expressed doubts over the availability of Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber, describing their status as “very uncertain.” Both players, key to Arsenal’s setup, would be significant absences, forcing the manager into a reshuffle that could test the depth of his squad at a crucial moment.
Arsenal hit with injury crisis 🚨
— 365Scores (@365Scores) October 11, 2024
After Martin Ødegaard got injured during last month’s international break, Bukayo Saka was forced to leave the pitch due to injury last night. This is a major setback for the Gunners’ season 😳 pic.twitter.com/JEnO2JXuUF
Liverpool
On the other side, Liverpool are dealing with their own injury setbacks. Diogo Jota has been ruled out after sustaining a rib injury in last weekend’s win over Chelsea, a blow to Arne Slot’s forward options. The Reds will also be without goalkeeper Alisson and midfielder Harvey Elliott, both of whom remain sidelined.
Additionally, this fixture comes too soon for defender Conor Bradley and new signing Federico Chiesa, who are still recovering from their respective injuries. Despite these absences, Liverpool’s form under Slot suggests they have the depth and tactical flexibility to cope as they aim to extend their winning run.
Will Liverpool be able to cope without Alisson TILL CHRISTMAS? 😱 pic.twitter.com/Wkyj1Y4dHH
— 365Scores (@365Scores) October 19, 2024
Key Players:
Arsenal – Gabriel Magalhaes
When Arsenal’s key creative players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard are missing, they need to find inspiration from other sources, and Gabriel Magalhães could be the one to step up. The towering center-back has already proven his value at both ends of the pitch, scoring crucial goals this season against Tottenham and Manchester City.
Beyond his attacking contributions, Gabriel’s defensive prowess will be even more critical, especially without William Saliba partnering him in the backline. The Brazilian will need to take on more responsibility, leading the defensive unit and ensuring Arsenal remain solid against Liverpool’s relentless attack.
Liverpool – Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has a history of tormenting Arsenal, with an impressive record of 10 goals and 2 assists in 14 Premier League appearances against the Gunners. The Egyptian forward thrives in these big matches, and with five goals already this season, he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Salah’s combination of pace, clinical finishing, and intelligent movement makes him a nightmare for defenders, and he will look to exploit any vulnerabilities in an Arsenal defense missing key personnel. Whether cutting inside from the right or linking up with teammates, Salah’s ability to create and convert chances will be pivotal as Liverpool aim to extend their impressive run of form under Arne Slot.
Key Statistics
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last four Premier League encounters with Liverpool, recording two wins and two draws.
- Yet the Reds have scored in each of their last 17 Premier League matchups against Arsenal, with their last goalless result being a 0-0 draw back in August 2015.
- Arsenal are just one win away from reaching 2,000 victories in the top flight of English football.
- Liverpool have maintained a perfect away record this season, winning all six of their matches across all competitions.
- The Reds boast the best defensive record in the Premier League this season, conceding only three goals so far.
- Arne Slot has made the best start of any manager in English top-flight history, securing an astounding 11 wins from his first 12 matches in charge across all competitions.
By Nicky Helfgott – NickyHelfgott1 on X (Twitter)
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