Arsenal faces a quick turnaround as Mikel Arteta’s side heads to Anfield to take on newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool.
The Gunners fell to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday, and while there are no new injury concerns, Arteta revealed some players were in tears after the defeat. Determined to respond, he is expected to name a strong side as Arsenal aims to bounce back against Liverpool.
This afternoon, the Gunners will also show their respect to the newly crowned champions by giving them a guard of honour, as confirmed by Arteta ahead of the game. “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” said the Spaniard.
That’s certainly more respect than Arteta showed to the Reds earlier in the week, with his comments on their title win leading to ridicule from all corners.
“Winning trophies is about being in the right moment in the right place,” Arteta said ahead of facing PSG. “Liverpool have won the title with less points than we have in the last two seasons.
“But at the point of the last two seasons we have two Premier Leagues, so you have to be in the right moment in the right place.”
With a near fully fit squad at his disposal, Arteta is expected to field a strong lineup. With silverware out of reach, Arsenal will be solely focused on securing a top-five Premier League finish.
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The Gunners remain second in the table, but face mounting pressure from Manchester City. Long-term absentees Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Gabriel remain sidelined for the trip to Anfield.
Ben White is a candidate to return at right-back in place of Jurrien Timber, while Riccardo Calafiori, who impressed off the bench on Wednesday, is pushing for a start on the left. The Italian defender could be drafted into the starting XI to give Myles Lewis-Skelly a well-earned rest, following a demanding run of games for the teenager.
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In midfield, options remain limited for Arteta, though Jorginho made the bench midweek after recovering from a rib injury. Leandro Trossard, who played a key role in setting up Bukayo Saka’s goal against PSG, is also in contention to start — either on the left wing or in a central attacking role.
Now focused on extending its lead at the top of the table before the season ends, Liverpool may continue to rotate. Aiming to finish on a high, the Reds can surpass the 90-point mark if they win all three of their remaining Premier League matches
Arne Slot has already confirmed he will start Conor Bradley ahead of the outgoing Trent Alexander-Arnold. Ryan Gravenberch missed out on the matchday squad entirely against Chelsea and is expected to return to the team this weekend.
Arsenal predicted line-up vs Liverpool: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli.
