Arsenal vs Liverpool Premier League clash predicted with huge title race result
by Lewis Barton · football.londonArsenal face another early test in the Premier League campaign as the Gunners welcome Liverpool to north London later today.
After losing their first game of the season last weekend, Arsenal returned to winning ways in their last outing, beating Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 in the Champions League. The Gunners currently sit four points behind Liverpool in the Premier League table, and Mikel Arteta will be desperate for three points later today to avoid that gap getting any bigger.
The clash comes at a bad time for Arsenal, with William Saliba suspended while Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber all remain doubtful. The last league meeting between Arsenal and Liverpool saw the Gunners win 3-1 at the Emirates, with Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard all getting on the scoresheet.
So, can Arsenal close the gap between themselves and Liverpool later today? Let's take a look.
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Arsenal vs Liverpool score predicted
To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 25 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that Arsenal could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Raya; Partey, White, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, Merino, Rice; Sterling, Havertz, Martinelli.
We predict that Liverpool could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their starting XI as follows: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez.
Arsenal were on top in the opening 20 minutes at the Emirates, and they should've taken the lead when Gabriel Jesus' pullback was met by Mikel Merino on the edge of the box, but his effort directed towards the bottom corner was sent wide of the target. The missed opportunity to take the lead proved costly, with Liverpool taking the lead moments later with their first attack of the game.
As Dominik Szoboszlai received the ball on the half-turn in midfield, he wasn't closed down, allowing the midfielder to thread a pass between Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly for Mohamed Salah to chase. The Egyptian latched onto the ball, and one-on-one, he curled the effort past David Raya and into the net.
The goal put Liverpool in full control at the Emirates, and 15 minutes later they doubled their lead with a slice of luck. Luis Diaz's deflected cross saw the ball fizz past the wrong-footed Gabriel in the box, and Darwin Nunez was on hand to pounce on the loose ball and tap home from close range. Arsenal couldn't cope with the Reds, and just before the break, Arne Slot's side took a surprise 3-0 lead.
As the Gunners pushed up the pitch, Lewis-Skelly was caught in possession on the halfway line, allowing Liverpool to hit Arsenal on the break. Trent Alexander-Arnold slid a pass through to Salah, and after having his original shot saved, the rebound fell back to the feet of the winger to fire home his second of the game.
Arsenal had another great chance to score just after the restart when Jesus peeled away from Andrew Robertson to surge into the box unmarked, but his glancing header from Declan Rice's cross was poor, with the Brazilian directing his effort wide of goal.
Mikel Arteta's side dominated the second half, and they finally got a deserved goal in the 76th minute when Kai Havertz pickpocketed the ball off Ibrahima Konate on the edge of the Liverpool box before sliding his shot underneath the 'keeper. Arsenal were unable to muster a comeback though, with their poor first-half showing resulting in a 3-1 loss at the Emirates.