Serious faces
The game faces are on inside the tunnel at the Emirates as both sides line up ahead of kick off.
Virgil van Dijk and Bukayo Saka at the forefront of their teammates as the Emirates is in full voice.
Saliba a miss?
Is William Saliba a miss? A centre back that much of a miss?
In truth, yeah actually. And here’s the stats to prove it. His only real absence in the side came as the Gunners chucked away the league in 2022/23 and here’s what happened up until and then in the final 11 games without the Frenchman.
Points
- With Saliba: 2.4
- Without Saliba: 1.6
Goals conceded
- With Saliba: 0.9
- Without Saliba: 1.6
XG against
- With Saliba: 1.0
- Without Saliba: 1.4
Gap opening?
Chelsea’s win in the 2pm games means Arsenal go into this contest in FIFTH.
Of course, they could go third with a win here, a point behind today’s opponents if they do win and three off the top.
Lose today and they’ll be seven off the top which even at this stage is too much.
Liverpool can go top with three points.
Heskey fears for Arsenal
Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey also sees a win for the Reds – especially with William Saliba missing.
He said: “Playing against Arsenal without William Saliba in their defence will be a huge positive for Liverpool.
Everyone’s been talking about the partnership with him and Gabriel, and rightly so as they’ve been fantastic. But, with one gone, what will that look like?
“Liverpool will attack the game more and go into the match with more aggression knowing Saliba won’t be there, and Arsenal might feel slightly less comfortable without him on the pitch.
“Michael Owen was that kind of player for us, having him on the pitch made us all feel better and more confident.
“If Liverpool come away with a win and increase their gap to Arsenal by seven points, it’ll be huge. It would put a serious dent in Arsenal’s title hopes and put pressure on them in the dressing room and the camaraderie.
“It’ll be a challenge for Mikel Arteta if that happens because it’s a real challenge for the manager, you need to pick them back up again. Psychologically it’d be a massive advantage for Liverpool.”
Redknapp backs the Reds
Former Tottenham and West Ham boss Harry Redknapp has predicted a 2-1 win for Liverpool at the Emirates the afternoon.
He told told BetVictor: “What a game this is set to be! Things haven’t been right for Arsenal of late. Even before last week’s red, they’ve been winning games by the odd goal and haven’t been as dominant of late.
“I think they badly miss Martin Odegaard’s class and composure in the final third and they seem to be accumulating more injuries.
“Liverpool may not catch the eye as much as they did under Jurgen Klopp, but they look organised, they have the league’s best defensive record and that’s not by accident. A win here and they probably become the title favourites.
“No William Saliba is massive. His absence probably cost them the title a couple of seasons ago and I think it’s bound to be a factor here, he’s just that good.
“I think Liverpool edge it and Mohamed Salah could be the difference, particularly if it looks like Riccardo Calafiori will be out as well.”
Laur Kidding
Laura Woods has claimed Arsenal are not Manchester City’s main title rivals this season.
The TNT Sports host has also admitted the Gunners “don’t look the part” amid their poor disciplinary record this season.
Ahead of the match, Woods admitted Arsenal’s disciplinary record is a worry.
She told BetMGM: “I do worry for Arsenal, with injuries and suspensions.
“No Ricardo Calafiori, no Martin Odegaard, no Jurien Timber and no William Saliba. I tell you what, it’s pretty infuriating being an Arsenal fan at the moment!
“What’s even more infuriating is feeling like a broken record and mentioning that the next day Tosin Adarabioyo only got booked for a foul just like Saliba’s on Diogo Jota.
“Yes, we Arsenal fans moan, but we should also all be wanting to see consistency in the league with decisions like this because next week it’ll be your team.
“Taking a bit of responsibility, though, Arsenal need to stop getting themselves into these situations. We’re literally leaking points and throwing away games. We don’t look the part at all!”
