Reigning Premier League champions Arsenal head to Anfield on Sunday looking to put the embarrassment of a shock domestic cup exit behind them as they prepare to face high-flying Liverpool in a marquee Premier League showdown.
Mikel Arteta’s side travel to Merseyside still reeling from one of the most stunning results in the club’s recent history, having suffered a penalty shootout defeat against fourth-tier Fleetwood Town following a dismal 1-1 draw in the League Cup fourth round. Bruno Guimaraes missed from the spot as the fourth-tier minnows dumped the holders out 5-3 on penalties, leaving the Gunners eager to erase the memory of that humiliating display.
Despite the cup setback, Arsenal sit second in the Premier League table with 21 points from eight matches, trailing leaders Manchester City only on goal difference. The reigning champions have claimed seven victories in domestic league play alongside a single 3-0 defeat against Brighton last month, while holding seventh place in the Champions League standings with two wins and a draw.
Liverpool enter Sunday’s marquee fixture in formidable momentum under manager Andoni Iraola, riding a five-match winning streak across all competitions. The Reds sit fourth in the Premier League table on 15 points—six adrift of the summit—after securing four wins, three draws, and one loss. In continental action, Liverpool hold third place in the Champions League table with a perfect three wins from three, and they advanced to the League Cup quarterfinals midweek by overcoming Chelsea 6-5 on penalties following a dramatic night at Anfield.
Historical precedents and statistical models point to a tightly contested encounter. Opta’s supercomputer gives Arsenal a 41.8 percent probability of securing victory at Anfield, while placing Liverpool’s chances at 32.7 percent, with a draw calculated at 25.5 percent. Head-to-head records across 246 previous meetings show Liverpool holding the upper hand with 95 wins to Arsenal’s 81, alongside 70 draws.
Both squads face considerable injury concerns ahead of the fixture. Liverpool’s lengthy absentee list includes Hugo Ekitike with an Achilles tendon injury, Jeremie Frimpong with a hamstring issue, Conor Bradley with a knee problem, and Giovanni Leoni suffering from a cruciate ligament injury. However, Dominik Szoboszlai could make his return after recovering from a hamstring issue. Liverpool’s probable starting lineup features Alisson in goal, backed by a defense of Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, and Milos Kerkez; Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister in midfield; and an attacking unit comprising Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, and Alexander Isak.
Arsenal are similarly depleted, missing Bukayo Saka due to a muscle injury, William Saliba with a back problem, Christos Tzolis with a hamstring strain, and Toni Madueke due to an ankle issue. On the positive side, Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori have returned to training after missing the trip to Fleetwood. Meanwhile, Max Dowman serves the second match of a three-game suspension following a red card after an independent commission rejected the club’s appeal against the booking. Arteta’s probable XI is expected to feature David Raya in goal; Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel, and Myles Lewis-Skelly across the back; Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino in midfield; and Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, and Eberechi Eze supporting striker Victor Gyokeres.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Liverpool manager Iraola urged caution regarding early-season title talk. “It’s still October; take one game at a time, and I always say the first reference is normally when we have played against each other once, halfway through the season, and then you can start looking at the standings,” Iraola said. “Now we are in a position where we need to improve, keep getting better. Can fans dream? It’s good if they have expectations and think we can win. But if you ask me, it is still early.”
Arteta acknowledged the daunting nature of the task at a ground where the club has not won in 14 years. “We expect a big game on Sunday; we’re looking forward to it for sure. It’s been 14 years since we last won there, so it’s time to do it,” Arteta said.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk highlighted the electric atmosphere generated by the supporters during recent matches against Chelsea and Villarreal. “It’s a night like this and the other night – the fans definitely like what they’re seeing and, of course, you feel that energy and it’s great,” van Dijk said. “I’ve been feeling that energy for quite a while and when you then miss it a little bit, then to get it back is obviously very good. Results help, massively. We understand it as well.”
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard stressed the need for an immediate response from his teammates following their cup exit. “Obviously, the way we played was not on the level. We need to do much, much better than we did,” Odegaard said. “We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We need to move on; we have a big game at the weekend, so bouncing back is all we can do now.”
