Amid the great anticipation for the thrilling clash between Liverpool – Arsenal in the Premier League, we present the key information you need to know.

On the Arsenal side, Hale End duo Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are both expected to start on the bench once again. Riccardo Calafiori has been thriving in the left-back role with his overlapping runs and is set to line up alongside Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, and Gabriel Magalhães in front of goalkeeper David Raya.

Predicted Arsenal XI:

Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyökeres, Martinelli.

Match Preview: Liverpool – Arsenal

Gold meets silver in Sunday’s headline Premier League fixture, as reigning champions Liverpool welcome perennial challengers Arsenal to Anfield for an early-season title showdown.

Both sides put their perfect records on the line on August 31. Liverpool have been more prolific in attack so far, but defensively the story has been very different compared to Arsenal’s resilience.

Liverpool

Liverpool’s thrilling 3-2 victory at St James’ Park on Monday had everything: drama, controversy, and a teenage match-winner. Despite being pegged back from 2-0 up and facing immense late pressure from Newcastle United—even after Anthony Gordon’s dismissal—the Reds found salvation through 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who netted deep into stoppage time after fine work from Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah.

The champions remain ruthless in front of goal under Arne Slot, scoring in 39 of his 40 league games at the helm, and one more strike would set a new club record of 37 consecutive top-flight matches with a goal. Yet defensive fragilities remain a concern, with Liverpool lagging behind both Arsenal and Spurs in the early table because of those shortcomings at the back.

Arsenal

For Arsenal, defensive stability was the foundation of a hard-fought win at Old Trafford, while attacking fluency returned in the 4-0 thrashing of Leeds United at the Emirates. Viktor Gyökeres bagged a brace, Jurrien Timber impressed with a masterful display, and Max Dowman shone on debut, capping an almost flawless afternoon for Mikel Arteta’s men.

The Gunners now have the chance to begin a league season with three straight wins and three consecutive clean sheets for the first time since 1924. They have frustrated Liverpool in recent years too, going unbeaten in the last six Premier League meetings. However, their Anfield curse lingers—Arsenal have not won a league game there since 2012, when Arteta himself featured in a 2-0 triumph.

Team News Liverpool – Arsenal

Liverpool’s only absentee is new signing Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring), leaving Slot with a near full-strength squad. Alexis Mac Allister is back in training and could feature after missing the Newcastle clash. Szoboszlai impressed in an emergency right-back role, but Conor Bradley offers a more natural option. Up front, Salah—who has scored 11 times against Arsenal—should once again spearhead the attack alongside Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, and Hugo Ekitike.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have greater concerns. Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Kai Havertz (knee) are sidelined, while captain Martin Ødegaard is yet to resume training after a shoulder injury. Leandro Trossard, Ben White, and Christian Norgaard are doubtful, and Gabriel Jesus (ACL) remains out long term. Still, Arsenal’s squad depth means Arteta has options: Eberechi Eze could step in for Ødegaard, while Noni Madueke is set to replace Saka on the right flank.

Predicted Liverpool XI:

Alisson; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

Predicted Arsenal XI:

Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyökeres, Martinelli.

Prediction for Liverpool – Arsenal

Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal.

Even without Saka, Havertz, and possibly Ødegaard, Arsenal’s attacking reinforcements and set-piece prowess could prove decisive against a shaky Liverpool defence. While Salah and company may find a way through once, the Gunners’ discipline and ruthlessness.