Arsenal vs Liverpool: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head

Two behemoths of the Premier League take on each other on Sunday evening at Emirates stadium. 

Arsenal have consolidated their top-of-the-table position following a dramatic win over North London rivals Tottenham. They face another gruff test on Sunday when they host floundering Liverpool, who have managed to scrape out just two wins in seven Premier League matches, and Arsenal are looking like favourites in this match.

Meanwhile, the Anfield side, who pushed all limits the previous season, looks mundane this campaign, and Klopp has raised the alarm after his team, billed as the favourite in all competitions, has shown cluelessness since the start of this season. However, a 2-1 win over the Rangers would boost their morale ahead of Sunday's game, but it remains to be seen whether the players have learned what was lacking and can make up for it this weekend.

Arsenal form (all competition): W-W-W-L-W

Liverpool form (all competition): W-D-W-L-D 

Injury and team news

Liverpool will be without Andy Robertson, who limped off against Napoli and is unlikely for Sunday's match. Curtis Jones, Naby Keita, and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlin are among the others.

Jones has been an important midfielder, but he has been out for a month due to a knock, and his return is unclear. In contrast, Keita has yet to play this season due to feeling ill and injuring his knee during a Community Shield match. Chamberlain has yet to play this season due to a hamstring injury, and his return is uncertain.

While Arteta does not have an injury list, Smith Rowe is the only injured player on the squad with a groin injury, and the player has undergone surgery and will be back by the end of December.

Also read: Top five players to play for both Arsenal and Liverpool

Players to watch

Gabriel Martinelli

Martinelli has been Arsenal's main operator this season; the player's understanding of the game has improved, as evidenced by his dribbling and opening up defences with great passing abilities. Martinelli's dribbling allures many defenders, and when they attempt to close in on him, he releases the ball, enabling the opposition defence to open up. On Sunday, he'll be a crucial player on the left flank against Liverpool.

Luiz Diaz 

Diaz possesses similar characteristics to Martinelli, but the Colombian acquires a goal-scoring threat from outside the box. Diaz is swift and can take on 2-3 defenders; he is the most threatening on the left flank and contributes great inventiveness on the pitch, his impressive performance against Rangers demonstrated how good Diaz is, and his sumptuous dribbling earned Liverpool a penalty. He's a great shooter who can curve the ball from 25 yards out in the far corner. He'll be expected to assert the game's rhythm at Emirates.

Head-to-Head stats 

Premier League:

Matches: 60Arsenal: 16Draws: 19Liverpool: 25

Arsenal predicted XI

Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Xhaka, Partey, Odegaard, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli 

Liverpool predicted XI

Alisson; Trent Alex-Ander, Van Dijk, Matip, Tsimikas, Henderson, Thiago, Fabinho, Salah, Nunez, Diaz. 

Arsenal vs Liverpool: Prediction 

Arsenal are self-assured and will look to overcome Liverpool at Emirates Stadium. The North Londoners are not lacking in any department, as the signing of Gabriel Jesus has been good enough to justify every pound, and the Brazilian has demonstrated his goal-scoring ability. While Liverpool have indicated flaws that Arsenal could very well look to exploit on Sunday, the club is fully upbeat and will make life difficult for Merseyside. 

Prediction: Arsenal 4-2 Liverpool