Arsenal can take a massive step towards winning their first league title in nearly 20 years as they take on Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
It comes one week after Manchester City dispatched of the Reds at the Etihad Stadium, laying down yet another maker at the top of the Premier League. Arsenal bounced back to once more respond though with a dominant win against Leeds to re-establish their eight point lead with Pep Guardiola's men holding a game in hand.
Should they overcome Liverpool they would finally become favourites according to Gary Neville though, a small accolade in the wider picture but once more evidence of the size of this game. The Gunners have only won once in the past 11 games at Anfield, stretching back to no wins there since 2012 in the league.
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Mikel Arteta will have to do it without star centre-back William Saliba. "He is progressing, unfortunately he still has some discomfort in his back. He’s not gonna be fit for this game and we’re trying to do everything to feel better, but not yet," he said.
The Frenchman has missed the past two league games with injury since going off against Sporting CP. There are hopes of him still playing again this campaign though. "Yeah, I am very hopeful and he is as well," Arteta added.
"Back injuries are a bit tricky and how they evolve with the load that you put in certain areas. Let's push it and see how he copes with that. He's so willing to be back in the team."
Liverpool themselves will be sweating over the fitness of Virgil van Dijk after the defender missed the trip to Chelsea on Tuesday with illness. Jurgen Klopp was likewise optimistic that the 31-year-old would be available for the game, saying: "I think he will be ready for the weekend, yes."
If van Dijk is ready, he will be preparing to face Arsenal without Eddie Nketiah. "He's still in the boot," Arteta last said. "He's still a few weeks away and we need to be patient.
"It was a nasty injury and he has a big challenge ahead of him. Thank God it could have been worse. So he's not in a bad place."
Gabriel Jesus has since returned looking sharp though which has been a massive boost for the team. He is now likely to be joined by Bukayo Saka against Liverpool with the Hale End graduate returning from illness.
Ben White is also expected to be back with no fresh signs that they will be unavaialble for the crunch match. Elsewhere the only remaining abscentees are Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny, both out with long-term issues and not expected to be seen before the end of the season.
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