After an exciting week of international football, the Premier League returns with one of the games of the season, Arsenal against Liverpool. It's a game that has previously decided league titles and cup finals, but this season it looks like it may decide European qualification. Liverpool are six points behind their opponents on Saturday and five points off the top four. Liverpool sit in fifth, while Arsenal are third, just one point off defending champions Manchester City in second.
Arsenal were unbeaten in March and haven't lost a league game since February; they haven't lost at home since November with only two home losses since last August. Liverpool came out of their last game with a 2-1 loss, but it was only their first loss in 14 league games.
Team news
Arsenal will assess England forward Danny Welbeck who picked up a slight knee injury in England's Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania last Friday. Jack Wilshere could also return from injury against The Reds. Saturday's match though will come too soon for Mikel Arteta, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mathieu Debuchy and Abou Diaby. All four of them are back in training but they are ruled out of contention due to respective injuries.
Liverpool pair Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel both start three-match bans for separate incidents against United, meaning they'll also both be out for the club's quarter-final replay against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling both may return to the fray, but Adam Lallana might not be fit enough to feature from the start on Saturday lunchtime.
Match statistics
Arsenal have only lost once against Liverpool in their last seven meetings in all competitions. The Reds have only won once in their last 18 matches away at the hosts, who have won 14 of their last 16 games since New Year's Day, including ten league wins.
Arsene Wenger's men have won have won eight consecutive home league wins; scoring in all of their home fixtures thus far this season.
Finally, Liverpool have claimed 26 Premier League points in 2015 - only Arsenal have claimed more.
