The biggest game of the Premier League this weekend takes place at the Emirates, as title challengers Arsenal and Liverpool clash on Super Sunday.
Even as early as October, this already feels like a big game, particularly for Arsenal. They already trail leaders Liverpool by four points and the Gunners will not want that lead stretching to seven. On the flipside, Arne Slot and Liverpool will see this as an excellent opportunity to cement themselves in first place and also put a large dent in the hopes of one of their main title rivals.
Arsenal vs Liverpool Match Details
October 27, Sunday 16:30 BST @ Emirates Stadium
The game will be held at the Emirates, where Arsenal are yet to lose this season. They have only dropped two points at home, in a 1-1 draw against Brighton when Declan Rice was sent off in the first half. It has been a fortress under Mikel Arteta and they will need that to continue on Sunday.
Arsenal vs Liverpool Preview
While Arsenal sit third in the table and look set for another title push, it feels as though things haven’t been too rosy recently for Arsenal. One of their biggest issues has been keeping 11 men on the field. In their defeat to Bournemouth last weekend, William Saliba was sent off early on, which was no doubt a major contributor to the 2-0 loss. We mentioned above Rice being sent off against Brighton which ended in a 1-1 draw and at Manchester City Leandro Trossard was dismissed also in a 1-1 draw. In both of those draws Arsenal were leading but dropped points.
Manager Arteta knows this can’t continue. In his post-match press conference after the Bournemouth defeat, the Spaniard admitted “we cannot continue to play with 10 men, especially at this level”. It doesn’t matter if Arsenal have a bigger talent level than their opponents, playing a man down in the Premier League against anyone is a difficult task, and they have had to to it on three separate occasions.
They face a Liverpool side who come into this leading the table after an outstanding start under new manager Arne Slot. There was a big question mark when the Dutchman was announced as the replacement for Jurgen Klopp around just how he could sustain and build on what the legendary German achieved at Anfield. Well, although the style is different, so far all the signs point to Liverpool maintaining themselves as big challengers for the major trophies.
Their good start has been built on a solid defence. They have only conceded three goals so far this season, with the team playing a far more controlled style rather than the swashbuckling high energy type of football under Klopp. It has proven to be effective. They have shown they can win games when not at their best, and with the quality they have in attacking areas they can always hurt you. They will have no fear going into this one, and will sense a big opportunity.
Arsenal vs Liverpool Prediction
It feels like Arsenal need this victory more than Liverpool, who will remain above the Gunners in the table even with a defeat. I can see a tight, cagey affair as both teams are extremely strong defensively and won’t want to give anything away. I am going to sit on the fence in terms of the result and go for a draw.
Saliba will be a big miss for Arsenal but I think Saka will play despite missing the Champions League game in midweek. With all of the attacking talent on display I can see both teams scoring in a 1-1 draw.
Arsenal vs Liverpool BetBuilder
As said above, I am going for a draw and both teams to score. As well as that, I think the main forwards for both teams will have over 1.5 shots on target, Kai Havertz and Mohamed Salah. This bet provides some good value, in what is a hard game to call, as they always are when to big teams go head-to-head.
