Follow live coverage as Arsenal face Liverpool today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Arsenal FC 2 - 2 Liverpool FC
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:33Arsenal’s plan to see out their one-goal, first-half lead wass foiled late by Liverpool, with Salah’s goal nine minutes from time forcing the two sides to share the spoils of a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners raced out into an early lead, with Saka’s clinical finish giving the hosts the advantage within 10 minutes, but parity would be quickly restored, with Van Dijk beating Raya with a close-range header following a set-piece. Arteta’s team would put their noses in front once again, taking the upper hand through Merino’s bullet-header to give Arsenal a 2-1 lead at the break. After sustaining injuries to both Gabriel and Timber, the Arsenal coach looked to instruct his players to keep a rigid shape and defend deep; a plan which appeared to be working until the 81st minute, when Nunez and Salah combined to once again put the two teams on equal footing. Both sides take a point and find the back of the net twice despite expected goals tallies of 1.03 and 0.85 for Arsenal and Liverpool, which leaves them third and second in the table respectively. The Gunners take to the pitch again on October 30 against Preston North End in the League Cup ahead of their weekend trip to Newcastle in the Premier League, while Liverpool have six days off before playing Brighton. That concludes our commentary of the Premier League fixture between Arsenal and Liverpool - we hope you’ve enjoyed it!
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:31Yellow Card Gabriel Fernando de Jesus
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:30FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 2-2 LIVERPOOL
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:27Havertz has scored in each of his last five Premier League appearances at the Emirates Stadium. The only Arsenal player to score in more successive home appearances in the competition is Thierry Henry, who has done so twice (six from March-August 2000 & 7 from May-October 2004).
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:26The fourth official indicates a minimum of seven minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:26Yellow Card Darwin Gabriel Núñez Ribeiro
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:25ARSENAL SCORE BUT IT WON’T COUNT! LATE DRAMA! Jones fails to hit a decisive clearance 20 yards from his own goal, with Kiwior leaping over the back of Szoboszlai to head the ball back into the 18-yard box for Havertz. The striker rounds Kelleher and looks to score but his effort hits off the post - forcing Nwaneri to tuck it over the line in confirmation - but a foul in the build-up keeps the game at 2-2!
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:23Substitution Curtis Julian Jones Wataru Endō
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:21Nwaneri’s corner is initially repelled, but Jesus is able to get onto the clearance 20 yards from goal. Without much time to settle the ball, the substitute striker hits a volley towards goal with his laces, forcing Kelleher into a catch on his line.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:20CHANCE! Trossard spots the overlapping run of Havertz and plays a pass towards the byline, with the striker getting onto the ball before chipping a cross to the far post. Jesus is there to follow up but he can’t wedge his finish in at the near post, with Jones pushing it behind for Arsenal’s first corner of the game.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:16Substitution Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka Gabriel Fernando de Jesus
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:16Substitution Gabriel Teodoro Martinelli Silva Ethan Chidiebere Nwaneri
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:16Merino plays it forward to Lewis-Skelly, whose low pass cut back is redirected by the covering Konate at the near post.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:13Assist Darwin Gabriel Núñez Ribeiro
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:13Arsenal have all 10 outfield players camped 25 yards from their own goal, as they look to see out another wave of Liverpool possession. Slot’s side look to be struggling to break down the low block in pursuit of an equalising goal, with Liverpool testing Raya on just one occasion in the second half. They have 10 minutes to find a result, or fall to a second defeat of the campaign.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:10Arsenal have seen only 31 per cent possession in the second half, compared to almost 53 per cent in the first period, with the Gunners failing to register a shot of any kind in the half-hour played since the restart. Arteta’s side look comfortable with their one-goal advantage and will risk little in pursuit of some insurance, instead looking to see out the result as it is.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:07Trossard picks out an unmarked Martinelli inside the penalty area, but the winger’s first touch lets him down, allowing Konate to scramble it away.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:07Substitution Jurriën David Norman Timber Myles Anthony Lewis-Skelly
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:06Havertz looks to drive past Tsimikas and down the byline inside the penalty area, but the substitute full-back keeps his footing and does just enough to usher the ball towards the awaiting Kelleher.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:04Arsenal may be forced into another change with less than 20 minutes to go, with Timber now receiving treatment for an apparent cramp. He - like Gabriel earlier - will look to see out the remainder of the game, with a concerned Arteta making preparations inside the technical area just in case.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:03Salah holds up play with his back to goal just inside the penalty area before laying it off to Szoboszlai, who skews his first-time effort wide of the far post.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
18:00AAlexander-Arnold’s inswinging free-kick from the left is beaten away by Havertz - the first man - before Martinelli’s acrobatic overhead clearance gets the ball further down the pitch.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:57Gravenberch hits a speculative shot from 25 yards out after dribbling past Merino and leaving him on the ground but the effort sails high and wide of the target.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:57Yellow Card David Raya Martín
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:55Substitution Luis Fernando Díaz Marulanda Cody Mathès Gakpo
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:55Substitution Andrew Henry Robertson Konstantinos Tsimikas
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:55Substitution Alexis Mac Allister Dominik Szoboszlai
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:54Robertson’s ensuing set-piece delivery is easily cleared at the near post by Havertz, with no Liverpool player in the vicinity to challenge him.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:54Robertson’s cross from the left sails over the crowd of bodies to the far post for Salah, who centres a pass for Alexander-Arnold. The full-back takes a touch before striking a left-footed shot that takes a deflection on its way behind for a corner.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:51Alexander-Arnold rolls a low, sliced shot towards the far post looking to catch Raya off-guard, but the tame effort misses the target by some distance.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:49Merino's first-half goal was the 27th that Arsenal have struck from set-pieces in Premier League since start of last season (excluding penalties) - the most in the competition.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:46Confirmation of the enforced change seven minutes before the hour, with Kiwior sent on in relief of Gabriel.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:46Despite retaking his place and trying to run off the earlier knock, Gabriel goes down for the second time in five minutes, with Arteta taking decisive action this time. Kiwior is being readied to take the place of the Brazil international; another defensive injury for the Gunners.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:45Salah and Mac Allister play a give-and-go on the edge of the penalty area, but the midfielder’s return pass puts the winger far too close to the byline, with his narrow-angle effort easily palmed away by Raya.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:43While Arteta and Gabriel decide what to do next, play restarts with Liverpool in possession as Rice drops back between the centre-backs to operate as a third defender. It doesn’t look as though Kiwior will be introduced however, with Gabriel looking to try and retake his place.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:42Worrying signs for Arteta, who has had to send Kiwior to warm up, with Gabriel down on the pitch, falling to his back off the ball. The centre-back looks to be in some pain with both his team-mates and members of the medical staff surrounding him, though he’s doing his best to try and walk it off.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:40Havertz drives a low cross towards the centre of the penalty area after a quick Liverpool free-kick in midfield is easily intercepted, but Konate manages to get his backheel to the ball, taking it away from goal in the process.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:38Arsenal get the match restarted from the kick-off!
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:26Having not come from behind to win in the Premier League this season - failing in their only opportunity - Slot will need to affect the game from the technical area should they wish to pull back a result for Liverpool. Despite the absences of Harvey Elliott, Jota and Federico Chiesa, the visiting coach still has ample quality to call upon from his bench, with Gakpo a potential replacement for Nunez and Szoboszlai ready to be called into action - potentially for the booked Mac Allister. Arsenal will be keen to display their defensive resilience and keep the score as it is, dominating possession in order to limit the Reds’ chances. Jorginho could be just the man to make that happen in midfield, while the experienced Sterling could come on for some revenge against his former team, using his ability to stretch the play late on.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:24An extremely clinical half of football at the Emirates Stadium comes to a close with Arsenal leading Liverpool 2-1, regaining their lead late in the half after the visitors managed to pull level. It took the Gunners just nine minutes to get proceedings underway - finding the back of the net with their first shot on target after Saka’s high, powerful finish evaded the outstretched arm of Kelleher. Not to be denied, Slot’s side restored parity just nine minutes later, with Van Dijk nodding past Raya after being put in a position to score thanks to Diaz’s glancing flick. A third shot on target in the match would result in a third goal however - this one the decider at the half - with Merino finally getting his finish right after a Rice free-kick, having had two chances to beat the goalkeeper previously. Arteta’s team have a slender lead with 45 minutes remaining, with the expected goals total bearing that out (0.8 to 0.36).
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:22HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 2-1 LIVERPOOL
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:21GREAT SAVE! Alexander-Arnold flashes an inch-perfect free-kick towards the penalty spot and picks out Mac Allister, whose point-blank header is not only saved, but caught, by Raya!
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:19The fourth official indicates four minutes will be added to the end of the half for stoppages.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:19GOAL GIVEN! The referee takes two minutes to have a conversation with the video assistants following the awarding of Merino’s goal, just to make sure there is no question of offside. After being made to wait, the hosts can celebrate once again however, with the finish allowed to stand!
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:17There is a lengthy VAR check ongoing, with Merino’s position during the set-piece delivery in question. It appears he may be in an offside position, depending on where they deem Van Dijk’s outstretched boot to be.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:14Assist Declan Rice
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:14Partey is fouled by Diaz, which gives Arsenal yet another free-kick inside the right channel just outside the Liverpool penalty area.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:13Goal Mikel Merino Zazón
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:13Trossard wins an inch of space ahead of Alexander-Arnold and chips a cross towards the penalty spot before the ball rolls beyond the byline, but Van Dijk is again first to win it in the air - clearing his lines in the process.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:11Saka and Havertz combine on the right wing before the former goes down in a heap holding his back, with Nunez coming back to help defend in typical, physical fashion. There’s nothing given from the referee despite the protestations of both the Arsenal players and supporters, with Liverpool allowed to restart play from a throw-in.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:09Liverpool haven’t failed to score in any of their last 18 Premier League meetings with Arsenal - including today - since a 0-0 draw in August 2015.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:06Rice is tasked with delivering the set-piece and again looks for Merino, this time at the far post, with the midfielder unable to centre a pass for a team-mate before Liverpool scramble it away.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:05Yellow Card Alexis Mac Allister
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:03Martinelli goes down inside the penalty area after Konate’s mishit clearance allows the winger to regain possession of the ball, with the centre-back sliding into a tackle in an attempt to make amends. Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold are also close on the scene to crowd out the space but referee Anthony Taylor fails to blow his whistle - allowing play to continue.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
17:00Salah clips a cross towards the penalty spot from a position near the byline but Timber sticks out his chest to put in a deflection, taking the ball right into the awaiting arms of Raya.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:59Trossard hits a left-footed pass into Liverpool’s half after winning the ball back inside their 18-yard box, looking to sprint Martinelli away on a counter-attack. Again the service is not quite up to the required standard for the Brazil international, with the underhit delivery falling for Konate to recover.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:58Gabriel wraps his foot around the ball, hitting an ambitious pass forward from inside the centre-circle, but it’s far too central for Martinelli, which allows Kelleher to get to the ball first.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:55Saka cuts inside from the right in trademark style and fires a left-footed effort from 20 yards out that sails high and wide of the target.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:55Saka manages to dribble into the penalty area, dancing his way past Robertson again before Diaz tracks back to help out his full-back. The Arsenal winger still manages to dig out a cross despite tight marking but he fails to get the ball past Van Dijk, who heads clear.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:54After taking a moment to recover on the touchline, Merino re-enters the game, much to the relief of Arteta inside the technical area.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:54There seems to be some concern for Merino, who stayed down holding his shoulder following his leaping attempt to get on the end of Rice’s delivery. The medical staff are on to the pitch to take a look at the Spain international, who has only recently returned from an injury.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:53OPPORTUNITY WASTED! An Arsenal free-kick on the right wing is curled in by Rice, who finds a leaping Merino just outside the six-yard box. The midfielder throws himself at the delivery but somehow manages to clear the danger instead of putting an effort towards goal - giving Liverpool a throw-in.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:49Goal Virgil van Dijk
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:49Van Dijk goes long in search of Diaz, looking to emulate White’s earlier assist for Saka, but the Colombia international is unable to get past the recovering Partey - who pokes the ball away for a Liverpool corner.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:47With his opening goal for the Gunners, Saka becomes the seventh-youngest player to reach 50 Premier League goals; also becoming the youngest Arsenal player on the list.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:46Salah floats a left-footed cross into the penalty area looking for Nunez, but his delivery fails to find the head of his team-mate, allowing Raya to stride off his line to collect.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:46Liverpool find themselves in a rather unfamiliar position, with Slot’s side falling behind only once before in the Premier League - in their 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest. It will take an extra effort to pull back level against a team of Arsenal’s quality, regardless of who is missing.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:46Van Dijk is called for kicking out at Havertz 30 yards from Liverpool’s goal, with the captain falling for the bait and sending his opponent to the ground. It’s a free-kick for Arsenal but they are unable to capitalise, with the final ball for Trossard sent directly behind for a goal-kick.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:45Assist Benjamin William White
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:45Alexander-Arnold delivers a flat cross into the penalty area from the inside right channel, but Gabriel times his slide well to intercept the connection and scramble it away.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:45The visitors will be looking to capitalise on Arteta’s reshuffled defence, with a number of key injures and suspensions forcing the coach into a reshuffle. Always looking to attack with directness, Diaz will be keen to expose Partey down the left wing, with the natural midfielder forced to do a job on the flank in the absence of Calafiori and Saliba.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:45Liverpool bring both Konate and Van Dijk forward to attack the set-piece delivery, but the latter’s flick is repelled by White six yards from Raya’s goal.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:45Saka tangles up the legs of Robertson on the left flank just outside the penalty area, giving Liverpool an early free-kick in a promising position.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:45Liverpool get the match underway from the kick-off!
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:40Arsenal make three changes from the XI that lost 2-0 to Bournemouth eight days ago. An injury to Riccardo Calafiori sees Timber get the nod at full-back, while William Saliba’s red card forces Partey to drop back into defence and Merino into midfield - giving Martinelli the chance to start in support of the striker. The final swap is on the opposite flank, where Saka returns from a knock to replace Sterling.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:40Liverpool make three alterations of their own from the side that took to the pitch last weekend - beating Chelsea 2-1. Mac Allister is preferred to Szoboszlai in midfield, while Diaz is in for Gakpo on the flank. The last switch is also in attack, where Nunez is selected to fill the void left by the injured Diogo Jota.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:40LIVERPOOL SUBS: Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Vitezslav Jaros, Jarell Quansah, Tyler Morton, Harvey Davies.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:40LIVERPOOL XI (4-3-3): Caoimhin Kelleher; Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Trent Alexander-Arnold; Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones; Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:40ARSENAL SUBS: Gabriel Jesus, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jorginho, Raheem Sterling, Neto, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Josh Nichols, Ethan Nwaneri.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:40ARSENAL XI (4-2-3-1): David Raya; Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, Thomas Partey; Declan Rice, Mikel Merino; Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka; Kai Havertz.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:40With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let’s take a look at how the two sides are lining up - starting with our hosts!
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:07Arne Slot’s almost-perfect start to life as Liverpool coach still isn’t enough to see them begin the day in first place, with Manchester City’s victory over Southampton yesterday taking them two points clear at the summit. Not only have the Reds notched 11 wins in their first 12 matches of the season in all competitions - losing only to Nottingham Forest in mid September - they can also lay claim to the best defence in the division (three goals conceded) and the best goal differential (12).
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:07Last weekend's 2-0 loss to Bournemouth saw Arsenal drop into fifth position in the table, though a win against second-placed Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium today would lift them two spots higher and leave them a single point back of the Reds. A narrow 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday got Mikel Arteta’s side back to winning ways, and lifted spirits ahead of a tricky run of fixtures in the league that sees Arsenal play Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea in succession.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
16:01Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Premier League fixture between Arsenal and Liverpool!
Arsenal vs Liverpool
14:30Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
