Arsenal returned to the Emirates on Saturday for their first home tilt of the Premier League season and put on a dazzling display against newly-promoted Leeds United. It had a bit of everything – Eze unveiled, an emphatic scoreline, and even a first-team debut for Hale End wonderkid Max Dowman. Unfortunately, it also featured one of last season’s biggest headaches when the injury bug reared its ugly head once again when Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka both left the field with injuries. After both missed
significant chunks of last season, massive question marks about the nature and length of their latest injuries loom large. The result was massive, but the outcome of the match worrying.
Things don’t get any easier on match day 3 for the Gunners. On Sunday, Arsenal head north to Anfield as last year’s runners-up take on the last season’s champions Liverpool ahead of the season’s first international break in a match that will see where both title contenders stand in the current season’s early stages.
Both sides invested heavily in a summer marked with massive moves across the league. While the Gunners fortified their depth and added a few starters in key positions, Liverpool swung for the fences and signed several marquee transfers, especially in their already-stacked attack. Sunday’s match will be a true heavyweight showdown, both in quality and expenditures.
All eyes will be fixed on Andfield on Sunday. Both sides will have a point to prove. With a chance to take the reins early, can the Gunners catch the title holders on their heels and head into the break with a win?
Here are three talking points ahead of Sunday’s match:
Know the Enemy
Arne Slot’s first season at Liverpool ended with the Dutch debutant guiding the Reds to a Premier League title. Inheriting a stocked cupboard, he navigated the Merseyside mammoths to a title with a squad built by legendary manager Jurgen Klopp. Everything that could have gone right did. While the rest of the pack fell behind with injuries, Liverpool stayed the course with minimal injuries. Mohammed Salah produced another magical season, defying Father Time once again, as did defensive talisman Virgil van Dijk.
Since their unencumbered title challenge, they have revamped the roster after offloading a slew of players. Darwin Nuñez, Luis Diaz, Jarrell Quansah, and Trent Alexander Arnold all departed the club. Sadly, the club also lost forward Diogo Jota when the Portuguese forward tragically perished in a traffic accident alongside his brother.
After a quiet summer last season, the Reds rode their title-winning fortunes and went for broke when they signed starlet Florian Wirtz, forward Hugo Ekitike, right back Jeremie Frimpong, left back Milo’s Kerkez, and centerback Giovanni Leoni. Incredibly, they still seem intent on signing Alexander Isak following a nasty falling out with Newcastle, as well as Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
With a new-look side, Slot seems eager to embrace the challenge of repeating last season’s magic, though it hasn’t been totally smooth sailing so far. In their two wins so far, they have seen 2-0 leads erased in both matches, leaving it late to securing three points. Monday’s tense affair with Newcastle saw them give up two goals after the Magpies went down to 10 men only to rely on a goal by 16 year old Rio Ngumoha in the 10th minute of second half stoppage. Their penchant for crucial last-gasp results last season helped secure their 20th league title. Whether they can withstand another season of heart-stopping results may have a profound impact on their season.
It’s early days, but it’s safe to say that Arsenal will far prefer to face Liverpool at Anfield earlier in the season than later. Like Arsenal, Liverpool have faced early injury issue with new signing Jeremie Frimpong and Alexis Mac Allister missing the trip to St. James Park.
Still, it’s Liverpool. At Anfield. It will take an immense showing by Arsenal to get their first win on Liverpool’s home pitch in nearly 13 years, no matter the state of their opponent.
Injuries & Suspensions
Here we go again.
Two weeks into the new season, and Arsenal are already facing a litany of injuries to key players. Kai Havertz is set to miss out several months with a knee surgery following an injury suffered during the opening match against Manchester United, while Martin Ødegaard faces a layoff after a shoulder injury suffered against Leeds. Worst of the bunch is Bukayo Saka, who gave the Emirates a glimpse of his typical self with a first half goal before pulling up with an injury to his non-surgically repaired hamstring during the second half against Leeds. Ødegaard and Saka’s injuries thankfully appear to be short-term, it still doesn’t change the fact that the Gunners are once forced to find results without three of their most important players.
Outside of those injuries, Ben White and Christian Nørgaard missed Saturday’s resounding victory at the Emirates with undisclosed ailments.
Are we already looking forward to an international break? I know I am.
Predicted Lineup
Attack: Martinelli, Gyökeres, Madueke
Viktor Gyökeres opened his Arsenal account with a second-half brace against Leeds after an anonymous first half. It’s clear that he is still adjusting to the Premier League and his new teammates, but his two goals were a much-needed confidence boost. Noni Madueke was exceptionally solid on the weekend, especially when he shifted to the right. Gabriel Martinelli was an unused sub, but loves a match against Liverpool. Considering the Reds are facing an injury issue at right back, his speed may come in handy.
Midfield: Rice, Zubimendi, Eze
Martin Ødegaard’s injury opens the door for the newest signing for the Gunners. Eberechi Eze was given an outstanding reception at the Emirates and will almost certainly get his first start against Liverpool. Though he could start at left wing, the absence of the captain leaves a gaping hole in the midfield that his skill set is made for. Martin Zubimendi has been growing into his role well. He hasn’t totally smashed it, but he looks assured in his role. Declan Rice was his typical do-it-all self against Leeds, delivering yet another assist from a corner and putting in an impeccable shift.
Defense: Calafiori, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber
Jurrien Timber earned the Man of the Match when he bagged a brace and an assist against Leeds. While his highlights came in the attack, he was as solid as ever in the back. Riccardo Calafiori has gotten the nod over Lewis-Skelly in the first two matches and created the good kind of chaos in both matches, though he will have a much bigger test against Salah on Sunday. A start for MLS wouldn’t be a shock, but Calafiori has been first choice so far, and I don’t see that changing before the break. Gabriel and Saliba earned another clean sheet and will be eager to make it three from three.
Keeper: Raya
David Raya had little to do on Saturday outside of a threatening first-half header that he palmed away. He will be facing down an exceptional attack, so here’s hoping he is at his best at a hostile ground.
Arsenal’s tough slate to open the season has a chance to be defining for the Gunners, one way or another. Thankfully, no outcome in this match will be season-defining (he said, optimistically). The Gunners overcame a sloppy start at Manchester United before the gears all began to click against Leeds. It’s far too early to say what the season has in store, but with improved depth and a new signing that has set the fanbase ablaze, the long and weary slog of the season looks far less daunting than it did when last season ended. Anfield awaits, and with it, a chance to make an early mark.
WHO: Arsenal at Liverpool
WHAT: Premier League Match Day 3
WHEN: Sunday, August 31st, 11:30am EST/8:30am PST/4:30pm GMT
WHERE: Anfield, Liverpool
HOW TO WATCH: Broadcast live on NBC.
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