English Premier League: Arsenal vs. Liverpool – prediction, team news, lineups

Sunday’s showdown between Arsenal and Liverpool will be the Gunners’ eighth in a row.

The visitors want to win after drawing their past two league games.

Match Preview

Even the most devoted Gunners fan may not have predicted Arsenal’s fantastic start after signing Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City.

Arsenal’s Jesus, Thomas Partey, and Granit Xhaka scored in the North London derby.

Emerson Royal’s red card for attacking Gabriel Martinelli helped Arsenal win, but they were the better side throughout and seem poised for a title drive.

Liverpool is the only team to keep pace with Man City recently, making Sunday’s encounter exciting and maybe instructive for the rest of the season.

Arsenal extended their home winning streak to eight games by defeating Bodo/Glimt 3-0 on Thursday. If they win on Sunday and stay ahead of Man City, what were once crazy fantasies may become more realistic objectives.

Liverpool are off to their worst start in years, 11 points behind their Sunday opponent (albeit with one game in hand).

Merseyside is thought to have turned a corner with home victories over Bournemouth and Newcastle United, but they’ve been held by Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Reds overcame a 2-0 deficit against the Seagulls at Anfield on Saturday to lead 3-2 in the second half. Roberto Firmino scored twice either side of halftime, but Leandro Trossard equalized with seven minutes remaining.

Klopp started four attackers in front of Thiago Alcântara and Jordan Henderson against Rangers on Tuesday. Trent Alexander-free-kick Arnold’s and Mohamed Salah’s penalty defeated last season’s Europa League runners-up 2-0.

The German must feel his squad can overcome an in-form Arsenal side at the Emirates Stadium if they want to win the Premier League this season.

Arsenal form:

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Liverpool’s form:

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Arteta made eight changes for his side’s midweek triumph against Bodo/Glimt, resting Zinchenko after his recent calf injury.

Martinelli, Xhaka, and Gabriel kept their spots in the starting XI and will very probably start against Liverpool. Club captain Martin Odegaard will return in the offensive midfield role, despite Fabio Vieira’s goal in midweek.

Liverpool will be missing midfielders Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arthur, and Curtis Jones, although Jones returned to training on Thursday.

However, Klopp is unlikely to make any changes to his back line, particularly with Andrew Robertson still absent.

The German must decide whether to use his customary 4-3-3 formation or the 4-2-3-1 that beat Rangers on Tuesday.

Fabinho may replace Darwin Núñez, with Salah and Luis Diaz flanking Diogo Jota. Firmino is another possibility considering his strong start to the season.