This Sunday, the Emirates Stadium will be aflame when Arsenal and Liverpool face off in a match that could mix up the top of the Premier League table. First, the Gunners want to immediately erase the disappointment of the defeat against Bournemouth and plunge into the race for the top spots. On the other side, there is Arne Slot's Liverpool, which arrives in London ready to show that its lead is not an accident.
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Arsenal: Time to Bounce Back, Make History
This Sunday, Arsenal need more than three points. Beating Liverpool is more than a response to the defeat in front of Bournemouth by 2-0. That victory will seal the Gunners' 2,000th win in the top flight-a milestone that can't be shied away from. Mikel Arteta knows what's at stake and is counting on the home crowd's energy along with the team's intensity to achieve this historic feat.
There is newfound positivity around Arsenal after their narrow win against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, but huge question marks lie ahead of the match for Arteta. Injuries to Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber are still doubted, while Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kieran Tierney are confirmed absences. These injuries imply that pressure on other available players heightens, which also raises pressure on Arteta to think innovatively against a defensively strong Liverpool.
Liverpool: Solid in Defence, Pressure Up Front
Unlike Liverpool, the scenario being a bit different, leading the Premier League is a reason to raise glasses of champagne, so too was their 1-0 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League. Arne Slot has made sure the Reds are solid and efficient, but how he manages this consistency against such a tough opposition in Arsenal remains to be seen.
Liverpool travels to London with 11 wins out of 12 matches this season, but without key players like Alisson Becker, Federico Chiesa, and Diogo Jota, that may prove a different matter altogether. The backline has, however, remained one of Liverpool's strong points, with only three goals conceded this season so far-the best in the Premier League. The return of Di Gregorio to the goal after serving out his suspension is further reassurance and a boost to the Reds' defensive security.
Head-to-Head Fight and Race for Positions
Arsenal and Liverpool are neck and neck in the standings, and every single win against a direct competitor means much more than the three points. Mikel Arteta and Arne Slot well understand that winning a head-to-head clash might be of vital importance to keep the squad's morale high and maintain its positions within reach of the top contenders.
These two have clashed umpteen times, with the Gunners having a reason or two to remain optimistic. They had beaten the Reds in their last couple of home matches in the Premier League, and a victory this coming Sunday might prove an important step for Arteta's squad to regain confidence. Slot's side, on its part, has been working out fantastic stability week in and week out, and the coach knows that keeping this standard may prove the key to a positive result in London.