Arsenal v Liverpool preview, team news, key stats, betting tips and odds

Premier League
BT Sport 1, 5.30pm Saturday

Odds
5-2 Arsenal bet365, Betway
21-20 Liverpool general
29-10 draw 188Bet

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Form
Arsenal's 11-match winning sequence, seven of which came in the Premier League, was ended by a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace last week and there have been legitimate concerns regarding the quality of opposition during their hot spell.

The Gunners' home wins came against Watford, Everton, Leicester and West Ham, while their away successes were against bottom-four teams Cardiff, Fulham and Newcastle.

This will be Arsenal's first test against a fellow big-six outfit since the losses to Manchester City and Chelsea on the opening two weekends of the campaign and on expected goals no Premier League team is said to be overachieving more than Unai Emery's outfit.

Second-placed Liverpool are unbeaten in the Premier League this season, dropping points only in draws with leaders City and third-placed Chelsea, and they have bounced back from a four-game winless spell in all competitions to claim three consecutive victories.

The tactical battle
Liverpool's speedy forwards must be licking their lips at the prospect of tackling Arsenal's high defensive line, but will home manager Emery take a step back?

City showed Liverpool respect in a game which finished 0-0 while Spurs didn't and were lucky to escape with a 2-1 defeat in a largely one-sided affair at Wembley. This Liverpool side scored seven goals against Arsenal in last term's two Premier League meetings.

For Liverpool all eyes will be on Jurgen Klopp's formation and whether he sticks with the 4-2-3-1 shape that was successful against Cardiff and Red Star Belgrade, with Roberto Firmino behind central striker Mohamed Salah, or reverts to 4-3-3.

Premier League standings

Team news
Klopp's decision on formation may be influenced by whether the doubtful Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita are passed fit. Arsenal are sweating on the availability of full-backs Hector Bellerin, Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac, while Matteo Guendouzi is suspended.

Verdict
This is an intriguing match for so many reasons, not least because only City have scored more goals than Arsenal and conceded fewer than Liverpool. The Merseysiders may just come out on top due to a better balance to their side. Liverpool to win 2-1.

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Key stats
Seven of the last eight meetings between these teams have produced over 3.5 goals with a total of 27 goals in the past five fixtures.

Arsenal have not been ahead at half-time in any Premier League match this season but they have scored at least two second-half goals in their last eight top-flight outings.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored seven goals in his last 436 minutes of Premier League action, an average of one every 62 minutes.

Liverpool have lost only three of their last 39 Premier League matches.

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