Big match preview: Arsenal vs. Liverpool

The Premier League showdown between Arsenal and Liverpool promises to be a high-stakes affair this Sunday, 27 October, at 6:30pm.

Arsenal will look to rebound after a shock loss to Bournemouth, while Liverpool aim to strengthen their position at the top of the table.

Arsenal have won their last two home matches against Liverpool and will seek to extend that streak.

They last managed a longer unbeaten home run against the Reds between 2004 and 2006.

Gabriel Martinelli, who has been prolific against Liverpool, will be crucial for the Gunners’ attack.

Liverpool come into the match having scored in 17 consecutive league meetings with Arsenal, dating back to 2015.

With a chance to record their second-best start to a Premier League season, Liverpool’s solid defense—conceding only three goals so far—will be key to their title push.

KEY PLAYERS AND MILESTONES

Kai Havertz will hope to continue his goal-scoring form at the Emirates, having found the net in five straight home appearances.

Meanwhile, Declan Rice could mark his 250th Premier League appearance, an impressive milestone for the 25-year-old midfielder.

Arsenal will be without influential defender William Saliba, who is suspended.

Without him, the Gunners’ defense has struggled, conceding nearly twice as many goals.

This absence could be pivotal as Liverpool’s lethal frontline looks to exploit the gap.

For Liverpool, Mo Salah, Luiz Diaz and a very rock-solid defense line marshalled by Captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, and the very effective Ryan Gravenberch in defensive midfield, will give the gunners a run for their money.

WHAT THE STATS SAY

If Liverpool win this game, it’ll be their second-best ever start to a Premier League season after nine games (24 points – currently on 21).

Indeed, the only other occasion in which they’ve won 24 or more points at that stage of a Premier League campaign was in 2019-20, when they last won the title (25 – W8 D1).

Arsenal have been shown the most red cards in the Premier League this term (three in eight games), while the record for most dismissals after nine matches of a single season in the competition is four – done twice by Liverpool (1999-00 and 2023-24) and once by both Leicester City (1994-95) and Sunderland (1996-97).

Liverpool have conceded fewer goals than any other team in the Premier League this season (3), while they also have the lowest xG against total (6.2).

Their three goals conceded are their joint-fewest after eight games of a league campaign in club history (also three in 1978-79 and 2018-19).

Gabriel Martinelli has been involved in more goals against Liverpool in all competitions than he has against any other side for Arsenal (7 – 5 goals, 2 assists).

Four of his five goals against the Reds have put Arsenal in the lead in the match, including all three such Premier League strikes.

Kai Havertz has scored in each of his last five Premier League appearances at the Emirates Stadium.

The only Arsenal player to score in more successive home appearances in the competition is Thierry Henry, who has done so twice (6 from March-August 2000 & 7 from May-October 2004).

Both teams have their sights on the title, and this clash could play a big role in shaping the race at the top.

Culled from Supersport

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