Arsenal host Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, in their first big-six clash since mid-August.
Unai Emery had the most impossible of starts to life with Arsenal, facing Manchester City and Chelsea in his opening two games. As a result, supporters were mostly understanding when the team ended up on the receiving end of two defeats.
However, at this stage, the head coach has had a couple of months to sort things out. With a run of games against some of the smaller Premier League sides, Emery has shown he knows how to set his teams up to win matches. Now it’s just about doing the same in one of the big games.
Let’s have a look at how we expect Arsenal to line up against Liverpool this weekend.
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Lucas Torreira is certain to start, as Arsenal never function quite as well without him. Alongside the Uruguayan, Granit Xhaka continues to prove the best option, despite the naysayers.
Matteo Guendouzi, for all the praise he’s rightly earned this season, still hasn’t found the right balance alongside Torreira. More importantly, though, he’s now suspended after his red card in midweek.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is back, but he hasn’t played a game in the centre since returning, so it’d be throwing him in the deep end to do so against Liverpool.
In front of Xhaka and Torreira, Özil will start, hoping to replicate his goal in this fixture last season. His last Premier League start at the Emirates was breathtaking, but he needs to rediscover that magic after an average performance at Selhurst Park.
Click ‘Next’ for Forwards and our Full Predicted Starting XI
Arsenal vs Liverpool Betting Tips
Arsenal and Liverpool have both scored at least one goals in eight of the last 10 matches between the two sides. Bet on both teams to score with 138.com at 4/9.
There have been at least four goals in clashes between Arsenal and Liverpool on each of the last five occasions. Bet on over 3.5 goals with 138.com at 5/4.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the Premier League’s top scorer, and he scored in his last appearance against Liverpool with Borussia Dortmund. Bet on Aubameyang to score first with 138.com at 5/1.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool (10/1 with 138).