Premier League: Liverpool aim to put Arsenal to the sword

It may be early on in the Premier League season, but the meeting of Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in the early hours of Monday morning could have a major bearing on the title race.

The Reds are four points better off than their hosts and a win would open up a seven-point gap which could prove highly significant, although defending champions Manchester City are, of course, right in the mix as well.

The Gunners have won this fixture in each of the last two seasons, but have a number of selection problems to deal with, as they face a side who have won 11 of the 12 games they have played in all competitions so far this season.

. What: Arsenal v Liverpool, Premier League
. Where: Emirates Stadium, London
. When: 03:30 Monday 28th October
. How to watch: Optus Sport
. Odds: Arsenal 2.50, Draw 3.25, Liverpool 2.90

Saliba suspension a major blow

Mikel Arteta has moulded his Arsenal side into a formidable defensive unit, but one key player in the set-up will be absent here, with centre-back William Saliba suspended after being sent off in the 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth.

The Frenchman's absence alongside Gabriel Magalhaes is set to be compounded by concerns surrounding Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber, while further forward England winger Bukayo Saka (hamstring) is also a major doubt.

Add in skipper and key playmaker Martin Odegaard still recovering from an ankle problem and it is clear that Arteta has plenty to ponder about just how to stop a Reds side who have won all six of their away games this season.

The good news is that the loss to the Cherries came in the midst of five win in their last six games, although the Londoners have conceded in each of their last four Premier League games.

Despite many pundits feeling that the game is there for the taking for the visitors, the Gunners are 2.50 fancies to secure a much-needed victory, while both teams to score is priced at 1.66 and over 2.5 goals and both teams to score is a 2.10 shot.

With Saka set to miss out more responsibility may fall on Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli, who has scored in three of his last five games against the Reds, and the winger is 4.33 to score at anytime at the Emirates.

Dutchman slots in effortlessly

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot could hardly have dreamt of making such a strong start to his time in charge at Anfield, having won 11 of his first 12 games as Jurgen Klopp’s successor.

The Dutchman does have a couple of notable absentees for the trip to the capital, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker (hamstring) and Portuguese forward Diogo Jota (rib) both ruled out.

However, the former Feyenoord boss is clearly getting his message across, with the Reds having won all six of their road trips so far this season and conceded just one goal across their last four matches in all competitions.

The ever-reliable Mohamed Salah has scored in four of his last six games, while in the absence of Jota, Slot will have been pleased to see Darwin Nunez net the winner in a 1-0 midweek UEFA Champions League win at RB Leipzig.

Egyptian ace Salah has scored 10 times - including one for Chelsea - in 16 appearances against the Gunners and he is 3.00 to score at anytime in the early hours of Monday morning, while he is 6.50 to open the scoring.

Should the visitors get the job done at the Emirates, they will ensure that they move well clear of the Gunners in the battle to try and prevent Man City from claiming a fifth consecutive Premier League title.

bet365 News Team

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