Arsenal vs Liverpool Picks and Predictions: Gunning for That No. 1 Spot

With Liverpool off to an uncharacteristically floundering start, Sunday’s match represents a rare opportunity for league leaders Arsenal, who’ve lost only one of their first eight matches. 

After a resounding 3-1 triumph over bitter rivals Tottenham, confidence in the Arsenal camp should be unprecedented, about as high as Jurgen Klopp’s blood pressure. Mikel Arteta elicits the best from each player, a dangerous proposition for any visiting team. 

The opposite is true of ongoings on Merseyside. Klopp’s side has won just two of their first seven matches. Yet, while a grossly inadequate return for a side so familiar with transcendent, there is a silver lining. The Reds have suffered just one defeat: a 2-1 setback against Manchester United at Old Trafford.    

Arsenal vs Liverpool best odds

Arsenal vs Liverpool picks and predictions

Early-season form suggests a changing of the guard is afoot at the top of the table, with Liverpool unable to get over the line against a quartet of inferior sides. Klopp’s side has already left eight points on the board, sharing the spoils against Fulham, Crystal Palace, Everton, and Brighton. 

While their usually unsurpassable quality is discernibly missing, Liverpool hasn’t lost their fighting spirit. Liverpool trailed Crystal Palace, Newcastle, and twice in the Brighton and Fulham matches, yet found a way to take at least a point, three against the Magpies. 

It’s something for Klopp to build on, and he’ll take what he can get based on his side’s current misgivings. On the adverse side of the coin, Liverpool conceded the opening goal in five of their seven encounters, a damning demonstration of their collective unreadiness. 

Much-maligned Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk have underperformed, making school-boy errors that were non-existent in previous seasons. However, the former scored a brilliant free-kick in Liverpool’s Champions League 2-0 victory over Glasgow Rangers midweek, helping silence his critics and restore confidence for Sunday’s cracker. 

Klopp also took corrective measures midweek and changed the formation, amending his preferred 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1. It worked well, although a match against an inferior Rangers side doesn’t offer the best case study. 

The Reds, particularly Alexander-Arnold and van Dijk, have been exposed while continuously trying to maintain a high line in the 4-3-3 formation, prompting Klopp to adapt. Look for the wily German gaffer to persist with the new 4-2-3-1 against Arsenal, providing more support for his recently vulnerable rearguard. 

Arteta enters Sunday’s match with no such personnel or formation concerns. The Gunners have consistently shown their formidable weaponry, scoring at least three goals in four of eight matches. 

Arteta made the astute move to play Granit Xhaka higher up the pitch, allowing the Swiss international to show his creative side while still offering Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard defensive support in the heart of midfield. 

Arsenal has the joint-best home record, winning all four by a combined 11-5 margin. 

However, they have conceded the joint-sixth most at home, placing seeds of doubt about whether Gabriel is an elite center-back. He’d been prone to potentially catastrophic mistakes, but aside from hacking down Richarlison to gift Spurs a penalty last week, has cleaned up that part of his repertoire. 

Arsenal supporters will be confident yet slightly apprehensive going into this ginormous clash of the titans. 

The Gunners have lost four straight Premier League games against Liverpool. Combine Arsenal’s dreadful recent record against the Reds with Alexander-Arnold’s recaptured confidence, Klopp’s potential formation alteration, and the fact that Mo Salah found his scoring boots midweek against Rangers, and you have all the makings for a redemptive Liverpool performance.

In addition, Roberto Firmino has scored five goals in six appearances, returning to peak form after last year’s injury woes. 

The adage “form is temporary, class is permanent” comes to mind. Liverpool should shake off their early-season listlessness and conjure their best performance of the campaign. Even at this early stage, Liverpool knows a loss will put a nail in the coffin of their title aspirations, something Klopp and company will do their utmost to prevent.  

My best bet: Liverpool to win (+155 at BetMGM)

Arsenal vs Liverpool side analysis

Andy Robertson is Liverpool’s most glaring absentee. The Scotsman is partially training but won’t be available for selection, leaving Konstantinos Tsimikas on the left. That could be problematic for Klopp, who will hope the Greek has enough quality, pace, agility, and tackling prowess to neutralize the silky smooth and lightning-quick Bukayo Saka.

Despite their current malaise, Liverpool has scored 18 goals, the fourth-most in the top flight. They’ve scored four and conceded three in three road encounters and will look to increase their offensive production away from Anfield. 

Playing away from Anfield might be a blessing for Liverpool, whose ravenous fanbase expects the best, adding more pressure on the team to perform. At the Emirates, they can get down to business and try to get across the line, unworried about putting on a show. 

Meanwhile, Arsenal hasn’t lost a Premier League outing at the Emirates since falling to Brighton 2-1 on April 9 last season. That’s an unbeaten run of seven home games. However, Arteta’s men could not keep a clean sheet in any of those matches. 

Arsenal vs Liverpool Over/Under analysis

The match at the Emirates leans heavily towards the Over. Arsenal has played in just one Under this season, a 2-0 away victory over Crystal Palace on opening day. With 20 goals, the Gunners boast the second-most potent attack.

Five of Liverpool’s seven matches resulted in the Over, with two of three away matches seeing three goals or more. There is an argument, however, for the Under, as both teams will want to showcase their ability to nullify the opposing side’s potent attacks.

The Under would be probable if van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold were in peak defensive form and Robertson was available. However, based on the current scenario in either camp, this match should see at least three goals. 

Arsenal’s attacking prodigiousness, Liverpool’s dynamic offensive contingent, and recent defensive frailties provide a match tailor-fit for the Over. 

Arsenal vs Liverpool game info

Arsenal vs Liverpool key injuries

Arsenal: Mohamed Elneny M (Out), Emile Smith Rowe M (Out).
Liverpool: Naby Keita M (Out), Curtis Jones M (Out), Alex Oxlade Chamberlain M (Out), Andy Robertson D (Out).

Arsenal vs Liverpool weather

The temperature will be a fair-weathered 59 Fahrenheit for the late afternoon kickoff. Winds will be 9 mph, and humidity is expected to be at 45%. Currently, there is no chance of precipitation.  

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