Arsenal vs Liverpool: Premier League Preview, Gameweek 9, 2024
Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli celebrate after Arsenal score against Liverpool (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal host Premier League leaders Liverpool this weekend in a game that could prove crucial for the Gunners' title hopes.

Mikel Arteta's side suffered a shock 2-0 loss away to AFC Bournemouth last time out - when William Saliba was handed a controversial red card midway through the first half when the score was level.

The North London side followed this up with a 1-0 UEFA Champions League League Phase win at home to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday - but will still have a point to prove when the Reds come to town.

Liverpool are on an eight-game winning streak, and have conceded just four goals during this time - as Arne Slot continues his excellent start to life in Merseyside.

(Photo by Oliver Hardt - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
(Photo by Oliver Hardt - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Their most recent triumph came away to RB Leipzig in the Champions League, where they recorded a 1-0 win on Wednesday - days after they beat Chelsea 2-1 at home last weekend.

Liverpool have been tipped as strong favourites for this game, in large part due to Arsenal's mounting injury and suspension woes - with Arteta's side facing an uphill battle in the search of a positive result.

Defeat would see the Gunners slip to seven points behind Liverpool, and could see them drop to as low as sixth place in the Premier League, depending on results elsewhere - making it a crucial game for Arsenal.

  • Team news

Arsenal

Arteta will face one of the biggest selection headaches of his Arsenal tenure on Sunday, as he contends with several missing first-team players.

Saliba will be unavailable owing to his one-game domestic suspension, following his red card for "denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity" last weekend.

Kieran Tierney remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from the hamstring injury that ended his Euro 2024 campaign with Scotland during the summer.

Takehiro Tomiyasu returned from injury against Southampton last month, but has since suffered a further setback with his knee issue - ruling him out against Liverpool.

 (Photo by Annelie Cracchiolo/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
(Photo by Annelie Cracchiolo/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Captain Martin Ødegaard also remains sidelined as he steps up his recovery from the ankle injury that he suffered on international duty with Norway last month.

Bukayo Saka is a major doubt for the game having not featured since suffering an injury during England's 2-1 loss at home to Greece in the most recent international break.

Jurrien Timber has not featured since Arsenal beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 in the Champions League earlier this month, and remains a major doubt for this weekend.

The Gunners' latest injury blow was Riccardo Calafiori, who suffered a knee injury against Shakhtar - with the Italian defender expected to be unavailable to face Liverpool.

Offering an update on Saka, Timber and Calafiori, Arteta said: “We are going to do our very best to somehow have them available. But it's very, very uncertain," during his pre-match press conference.

Liverpool

Slot is not without injury woes of his own, with as many as five Liverpool players expected to miss the difficult trip to the Emirates.

In perhaps the most notable absence for the Reds, goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains sidelined with a hamstring issue - although his deputy, Caoimhin Kelleher, has shown excellent form during his brief time between the sticks.

Harvey Elliott will also play no role in the game as he continues rehabilitation for a fractured foot.

Slot also revealed that Diogo Jota is "definitely not [going to train]" ahead of the game, making the Portuguese forward a major doubt too.

The Dutch manager also revealed that there is a chance that Federico Chiesa and Conor Bradley could train ahead of the game, but that the duo remain doubts.

  • Likely line-ups

Arsenal

Raya; Partey, White, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Jorginho; Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli; Trossard

Liverpool

Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez

  • Key players

Arsenal - Gabriel Magalhães

Gabriel has spent much of this season starting in a formidable backline including Saliba, Calafiori and Timber but - with the trio all expected to miss the match - the Brazilian will need to hold down the fort.

Not only will his immense defensive ability be tested to its limit against the league leaders, but his aerial threat could also prove vital in a game where Arsenal will be missing many creative outlets.

Gabriel is one of the world's highest-scoring centre-backs and, given the Gunners' set-piece threat, his ability to impact the game at both ends of the pitch is undeniable.

Liverpool - Mohamed Salah

The easy pick, no doubt, but to deny Salah's ability ahead of such an important game would be a grave error in judgement for anyone to make.

The Egyptian winger will be licking his lips at the prospect of coming up against Zinchenko or Kiwior instead of Calafiori or Timber - and his output could prove fatal for Arsenal.

The key to success for the Gunners will be containing Salah, but that will be a job far easier said than done. 

  • Match details

Where is the game being played?

The game is being played at the home of Arsenal, the Emirates Stadium, which boasts a capacity of 60,704.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off is scheduled for 16:30 GMT on Sunday, 27 October 2024.

How can I watch?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match on Sky Sports Main Event. Alternatively, highlights will be made available on both clubs' YouTube channels shortly after full-time.