After two consecutive defeats in the Premier League, Arsenal managed to secure two victories. First, they left no chance for Crystal Palace in the London derby at their home ground (5-0), and then they won away against Nottingham Forest. Meanwhile, their rivals for the top spot, Liverpool and Manchester City, also won their matches, keeping the standings unchanged with both Arsenal and City having 46 points, while Liverpool is five points ahead, having played one game less. Throughout the season, under Mikel Arteta’s guidance, Arsenal has demonstrated impressive home performance in the Premier League, suffering only one defeat in 11 matches. However, in the FA Cup on January 7th, Arsenal lost at the Emirates Stadium to today’s opponent, Liverpool (0-2). Among the absentees, defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, who is on duty with his national team, and Thomas Partey, who is injured, are notable.
Liverpool, among all title contenders, has been navigating the season more evenly and consistently, without significant downturns. In the last round, Liverpool easily defeated Chelsea 4-1 at home, marking their fourth consecutive victory in the Premier League, during which they never scored less than two goals. The upcoming match against one of the direct competitors for the top spot is crucial for Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp emphasized the importance of dominating the field in the clash with Arsenal. Clearly, the German coach knows how to strategize against the Gunners. Recall that in early January, in the FA Cup, Liverpool defeated Mikel Arteta’s team 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Today, midfielder Vataru Endo, representing his national team in the Asian Cup, won’t be able to play for Liverpool. Due to injuries, defenders Kostas Tsimikas and Joel Matip, as well as forwards Mohamed Salah and Ben Doak, will also miss the match. Undoubtedly, Salah’s absence is significant, but Liverpool has managed to secure several successful matches without him.
