Arsenal are set to face Liverpool with key absences in the squad with four players set to be unavailable for the trip to Anfield.
Now solely focused on securing a top-five Premier League finish, a deflated Arsenal return to domestic action with a daunting trip to champions. Mikel Arteta’s side saw their hopes of silverware vanish for another season following a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals — despite a spirited effort in Wednesday’s 2-1 second-leg loss.
That result marked a third straight defeat in all competitions for the Gunners, who also suffered a 2-1 home loss to Bournemouth last weekend — a setback that leaves their Champions League qualification hopes under growing pressure.
Riccardo Calafiori and Jorginho made their return to the matchday squad in Paris on Wednesday, offering the Gunners some relief on the injury front, though long-term absentees Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Gabriel remain sidelined.
While Jesus, Gabriel, and Tomiyasu have been ruled out for the remainder of the season, Havertz is said to be making strong progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury and could be in contention for a squad return in one of the final two matches.
Arsenal is set to give Liverpool a guard of honor on Sunday, with head coach Arteta confirming respect will be paid to the newly-crowned champion of England. He said: “They deserve that. They have been the better team, the most consistent. They fully deserve it and that’s sport. When somebody is better, you have to applaud.”
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Speaking ahead of the game, Arteta acknowledged that while his team has made progress in Europe, their league form has taken a step backward.
“In the Champions League, we have because we did better than last season but not where we want because we wanted to win it,” said the Spaniard.
“In the Premier League, we’ve made a step backwards. With the points we’ve created, it’s clear we haven’t done as well as last season.”
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 14 home meetings with Arsenal across all competitions, a run dating back to a 2-0 Premier League defeat in September 2012 — when Arteta was still in midfield for the Gunners.
The Reds will be looking to bounce back after a less-than-disappointing 3-1 loss to Chelsea last weekend. A victory over second-placed Arsenal would further underline Liverpool’s dominance this season.
However, the Reds are currently on a five-game winless run against the Gunners in the Premier League.
On the game, Arne Slot said: “These two teams have the highest possible standard of what you can ask for, both very good teams, we both want to win, but it’s a bit different that when the league would still be finished that we wouldn’t have won the league title yet. Both teams will look forward to playing this game, so it’s difficult to predict.
“There is a little bit at stake for Arsenal as I presume they would rather finish second than third or fourth. It’s difficult to predict if it will be edgy but it is a game to look forward to.”
