Arsenal face the first test of an extremely tough Premier League run-in this weekend as they travel to Anfield to face Liverpool. After keeping their eight-point lead at the top the table, the Gunners should be firm title favourites, but Manchester City remain hot on their tails having won the last two Premier League crowns.
Mikel Arteta's men won the reverse fixture in a five-goal thriller, but must break an 11-year unwanted Anfield record to do the double over Liverpool. Arsenal are expected to be without William Saliba who continues to deal with a back injury, but the Gunners head into the game after winning their last seven league games.
As for Jurgen Klopp's men, their form is the total opposite to their weekend opponents having won just one of their last four games. Nonetheless, given their pedigree and ability to turn up in big games on home soil, it will be a significant test for Arsenal.
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Former Arsenal man Paul Merson has given his score prediction for the Anfield clash which includes a major title claim. "This game is a worry for Arsenal," Merson wrote in his Sportskeeda predictions column. "Liverpool did not play Salah, Van Dijk, Robertson, or Alexander-Arnold against Chelsea. Jurgen Klopp could be saving these players for Arsenal. I'd be shocked if they don't play this game.
"It seems like the Arsenal game at home is more important to Jurgen Klopp, and that would worry me as an Arsenal fan. If Arsenal win this game, I think they win the Premier League. They still have a game against an excellent Newcastle side, but Arsenal won't have to beat them if they can get the better of Liverpool. If they win this game, they would have to have a major meltdown to lose the title race.
"Jurgen Klopp wants his Liverpool side to play a certain way, and his team doesn't have the legs to pull it off at the moment. It wasn't too long ago that Liverpool were smashing Manchester United at home. This is going to be a difficult game for Arsenal, and a victory here would seal the Premier League title for me."
Merson's prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal
However, Merson's old teammate, Ray Parlour, did not agree with his prediction and is instead expecting that the Gunners will drop points for the first time in nearly two months.
"Arsenal will have one hand on the title if they beat Liverpool," Parlour told NetBet. "This is one of the toughest games of their season, even though Liverpool have been really inconsistent this term, you never know which Liverpool will turn up. Jurgen Klopp will be scratching his head wondering where he is going wrong, but they always seem to raise their game against Arsenal.
"If Arsenal get a result here it’s another big sign that these players are the real deal and that they can go all the way. Manchester City will start panicking if Arsenal keep picking up wins away at teams like Liverpool.
"But it’s going to be tight and I think a point would be a good result for Arsenal. If I was to bet on it I would go with a draw, a 2-2 draw. Both defences with the firepower on the pitch will be vulnerable. Arsenal have been very good defensively but I do see goals in this game, so I’ll go for 2-2."
Parlour's prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal
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