When Arsenal and Liverpool square off in a top-of-the-table match on Saturday afternoon, Arsenal has the opportunity to deal Liverpool four severe title blows. After finishing as runners-up last season. The Gunners have had a respectable start to their campaign and enter the tie in first place.
Following a summer of significant investment, the team appears less nimble in attack but more stable in defense. Eschewing chaos for control with varying degrees of success. Some matches have been much too close for comfort. With points lost on the road against teams like Chelsea, Newcastle, and Aston Villa.
But in the major matches thus far, there has been a stronger feeling that the strategy is working—none more so than the victory over Manchester City. With the team leading the league, they will be looking to beat Liverpool to bolster their title challenge.
That’s not to discount the Reds’ title aspirations, though, as a victory at Anfield on Saturday could see them pass the north London team. After the team finished outside the top four the previous season, Jurgen Klopp has rejuvenated them, and their attacking threat has already earned them a lot of points.
Arsenal vs Liverpool: the epic clash
“It’s going to be a great atmosphere,” Mikel Arteta said in his preview of the clash. “The two teams are in a really good moment, really good position, really strong position. They are going to be well placed to win it and to go for it. It’s going to be an intense match.”
Although Arsenal may be more focused on their own league aspirations heading into the match, they also have the opportunity to hurt rivals Liverpool. The Reds would fall four points behind the Gunners as a result of the victory, which would also give Aston Villa the chance to pass them and give Man City the chance to get closer.
In addition, there are potential suspension issues. This could mean that Klopp will be without three of his best players for Boxing Day’s match against Burnley. Wataru Endo, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Darwin Nunez are the three players in danger because they have each received four yellow cards.
The former player has four yellow cards, so he will miss the match against Burnley if he receives a booking. The latter two could miss out on a match against Newcastle the following week if they receive a booking, which would put them one game from suspension.
The last thing Klopp will need is for some of his main players to miss out after a loss to Arsenal. Especially since they have already participated in multiple cup competitions and during a hectic holiday season. On Saturday, the Gunners may attempt to accomplish precisely that, advancing their own aspirations for the title in the process.
