Arsenal v Liverpool predictions: Uncertain Reds could face capital punishment

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Arsenal v Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event, 4.30pm Sunday

Best bet

Arsenal draw no bet
1pt 10-11 Betfred

Team news

Arsenal
Emile Smith Rowe (groin) and Mohamed Elneny (thigh) are unavailable.

Liverpool
Arthur (muscle strain) has joined Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita (both thigh) on the sidelines. Curtis Jones (calf) and Andy Robertson (knee) are doubts.

Match preview

Arsenal passed a significant early test of their title credentials last weekend with a 3-1 victory over Tottenham in the north London derby and the Gunners can give their backers further encouragement by defeating Liverpool at the Emirates.

Before the start of the season it was Liverpool who were widely expected to be Manchester City's principal rivals in the title race. But while Jurgen Klopp's side have struggled, registering two victories in seven league fixtures, Arsenal have emerged as City's biggest potential threat.

There is a long way to go and it is worth noting that Arsenal's sole defeat this season – a 3-1 reverse at Manchester United – came in their only fixture away to a side who finished in the top half last term.

However, the Gunners' home results have been rock-solid for a long time now with 11 wins registered in their last 13 matches at the Emirates.

Confidence in the Arsenal ranks should be sky-high and arguably the biggest challenge for boss Mikel Arteta will be to sufficiently temper his team's attacking intent and reduce the risk of getting caught on the counter.

There were a few warning signs in the first half of last weekend's derby success which could easily have panned out differently had Tottenham showed more composure with their final pass.

On the whole, though, it was a dominant performance from the Gunners and there was so much to like about them in the offensive third with Martin Odegaard pulling the strings, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka offering quality width and Gabriel Jesus looking razor-sharp through the middle.

Liverpool would hope to be tougher to break down than Spurs, but the Reds were wide open at times during last Saturday's 3-3 draw at home to Brighton and have conceded two or more goals in four of their last nine fixtures.

They kept a rare clean sheet in a 2-0 victory over Rangers in the Champions League on Tuesday, but it would be folly to think that their defensive issues have miraculously gone away with one shutout.

Liverpool's progress to the knockout stage of the Champions League seems likely, which is just as well because their Premier League title bid has yet to get started.

If they are to challenge for league honours they will need to get something going soon as Sunday's visit to the capital precedes next Saturday's eagerly-anticipated home clash with champions Manchester City.

Securing an unlikely win double from those two fixtures might just alter the landscape and restore Liverpool's name to the title conversation.

However, Klopp's Reds have not been playing with anything like the intensity or swagger which have been their hallmarks in recent years and they could be the latest victims of Arsenal's stunning start.

Key stat

Arsenal have won ten of their last 11 matches.

Inside info

Arsenal

Penalty taker Gabriel Jesus
Assist ace Martin Odegaard
Set-piece aerial threat Gabriel
Card magnet Granit Xhaka

Liverpool

Penalty taker Mohamed Salah
Assist ace Trent Alexander-Arnold
Set-piece aerial threat Virgil van Dijk
Card magnet Fabinho

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