Arsenal vs Liverpool – Match Preview
Arsenal return to North London on Thursday night where they will welcome champions Liverpool to the Emirates. The previous meeting between these sides came at the end of August, where Dominik Szoboszlai’s fantastic free kick was the difference. In the two meetings between these sides last season, there was nothing to separates them, with both games ending in a 2-2 draw. In the first meeting, which took place in North London, Arsenal found themselves in front on two occasions, however, Arne Slot’s side responded twice to secure a point. In the other meeting, it was Arsenal who fought back. Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz both found net in the space of a minute, but second-half goals from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli secured Mikel Arteta’s side a point. Arsenal come into this fixture off the back of a narrow 3-2 win against Bournemouth away from home. Within 10 minutes, Evanilson pounced on an uncharacteristic Gabriel mistake to give the hosts the lead, but just over 5 minutes later, Gabriel scored an equaliser. Into the second period, Declan Rice scored a brace to put Arsenal in a commanding 3-1 lead, however, that deficit was reduced shortly after when Junior Kroupi found the net with a screamer from outside the area, but in the end it was only a consolation for Bournemouth, who have now failed to win in their last 11 attempts. With results going in their favour, Arsenal now sit 6 points ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa, going into Thursday night’s blockbuster clash. Liverpool come into the fixture off the back of a 2-2 draw away against Fulham. Liverpool found what they thought was the winner in the 94th minute, when Cody Gakpo got on the end of a Jeremie Frimpong cross to convert from close range, however, in the 7th minute of additional time, Harrison Reed scored an absolute screamer to give the hosts a point. Arsenal have made the Emirates a fortress this season. In their 13 matches at home, the Gunners have won 13, drawn 2, and in that run, scored 38 and only conceded 7. On the other hand, Liverpool don’t have a great record on the road so far this league campaign. The Merseyside outfit have won 4, drawn 2 and lost 4 on their travels. Mikel Arteta on Declan Rice: “Declan Rice is constantly adding things to his game. He’s constantly adding things to his role in the team. “I don’t see where he can stop because he can still improve in a lot of areas and he wants to improve. So, yeah, he’s such a pivotal player for us.” Arne Slot on Arsenal: “We look at that game [at Anfield in August] as well but that was the start, with new players for both teams, we did well defensively that game and you need to do well defensively to even have a chance to win it. Of course the fans help but our away fans will be a big help for us as well. We watch that August game but Arsenal have played a few others since then. Under Mikel, it is the same so much with some new things but we can expect a similar team and way of playing. Their fans will be up for it. They are top, incredible team and manager, so they look forward to this but so do we.”
