Champions League
Conference League
Premier League
Published on Oct, 27 2024
Injuries are mounting up for Arsenal as they face the prospect of drifting seven points behind league leaders Liverpool after Sunday's meeting at the Emirates Stadium. As many as seven senior first-teamers could be absent for Mikel Arteta, a list that is certain to include club captain Martin Odegaard and defensive lynchpin William Saliba. If Bukayo Saka is added to that list it will be an almighty challenge for the Gunners to extend their four-game unbeaten Premier League streak against Liverpool.
Arne Slot's side, meanwhile, look to be arriving in London at the peak of their powers. After a favorable run of fixtures to start the season, Chelsea and RB Leipzig were dealt with in impressive fashion in back-to-back games, meaning the Reds sit top of the pile in both the Champions League and Premier League. A win in the capital and they might just look like the team to beat in the title race. Here is how you can watch the match and what you need to know:
Arsenal: When even Arteta admits he doesn't know his lineup yet it is fair to say that there are a few positions up for grabs in the side that will take the field at the Emirates on Sunday. None of Jurrien Timber, Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori were pictured in open training on Friday afternoon but their manager has not given up hope. "We're going to do our very best to somehow have them available but it's very uncertain," he said.
Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard, Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all missing, the absence of the latter two offering yet more of a headache at left back. Will Jakub Kiwior start there? Can Oleksandr Zinchenko hold up defensively? What of Timber, will he be fit enough to start or will Thomas Partey have to drop into the backline? All that and William Saliba is suspended. Headache upon headache.
Possible Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Timber, Gabriel, Kiwior; Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard, Martinelli
Liverpool: No such confusion for Slot. There will be no Alisson, Harvey Elliott or Diogo Jota, the latter a particular thorn in Arsenal's side over the years. Conor Bradley and Federico Chiesa are rated as 50:50 but neither would likely be a starter even at full fitness. "Nobody knows who the biggest competitors will be at this early stage," said Slot, "but Arsenal will be one so winning points against them is important."
Possible Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez
This might be a close one but in the end, Liverpool should just about have the rhythm and organization to claim all three points against a cobbled-together Arsenal. PICK: Arsenal 1, Liverpool 3
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