Arsenal attempt to kickstart their Premier League title challenge as they host Liverpool this afternoon. The Gunners been handed a major double boost too, even if William Saliba is ruled out through suspension and Riccardo Calafiori is injured. Both Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber are fit to start as they make timely returns from injury to bolster Mikel Arteta’s options.
Liverpool have injury problems of their own, with Diogo Jota joining the likes of Alisson Becker and Harvey Elliott on the sidelines, but the Reds, who have won 11 of 12 games under new manager Arne Slot, will be brimming with confidence and not expecting to come away from the Emirates Stadium empty-handed.
The Gunners, who were favourites to win the title a little over a week ago, know defeat this afternoon will leave them seven points off Liverpool, and six off champions Manchester City. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Simon Collings at Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal vs Liverpool latest updates
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GOAL! Merino puts Arsenal back in front
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GOAL! Van Dijk equalises for Liverpool
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GOAL! Saka fires Arsenal into early lead
Simon Collings at the Emirates
17:16 , Matt Verri
That VAR check went on so long we had the amount of added time announced during it.
Four minutes, if you were wondering.
Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
17:16 , Matt Verri
Boos ring out around the Emirates, as we continue to wait. Not sure why this is taking so long…
Here we go – goal stands!
Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
17:15 , Matt Verri
VAR checking it.
It’s tight, but Van Dijk took a big step back and his boot could be playing Merino on.
It’s a long, long check…
GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool | Mikel Merino 43′
17:14 , Matt Verri
BACK IN FRONT!
Rice with another wonderful ball in, Merino is free again… this time he powers the header in!
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
17:13 , Matt Verri
42 mins: Slot increasingly animated on the touchline, as Arsenal continue to put the pressure on.
Partey brought down by Diaz out wide, another free-kick. Another chance for Gabriel to come up.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
17:10 , Matt Verri
39 mins: Nunez comes charging back in defence and seems to wipe Saka out… referee not interested.
Replays would suggest he very much should have been. Came in from behind and launched Saka to the ground.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
17:09 , Matt Verri
It will, understandably, be like this all season – but if any opposition player kicks or throws the ball away, the Emirates crowd are letting the referee know it.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
17:08 , Matt Verri
37 mins: Martinelli drifting inside again, this time whips the cross in.
It comes all the way to Havertz at the back post – he wasn’t expecting it.
Van Dijk misses it, Robertson caught out too, and the ball just bounces off Havertz. Arsenal firmly on top right now.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
17:06 , Matt Verri
35 mins: Merino does superbly to bring down the switch of play, keeps Arsenal on the attack.
Timber lays it off inside to Martinelli, it’s a decent chance for the Brazilian. Edge of the area but it’s a wild effort… high and wide.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
17:04 , Matt Verri
33 mins: Mac Allister with about four different fouls on Saka, who is too strong and too quick for him.
Liverpool midfielder is booked and he doesn’t bother arguing his case.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
17:03 , Matt Verri
Having seen the one at West Ham earlier, Arsenal might feel they have a case for a penalty there.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
17:02 , Matt Verri
31 mins: Arsenal appeals for a penalty, ball then drops for Havertz… smashed over the bar.
Martinelli was six yards out as Konate came flying in, maybe just about got enough of the ball. Not sure though.
Wouldn’t quite fall quick enough for Havertz, and he can’t keep the strike down.
VAR not interested in that Konate challenge. On we go.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
17:00 , Matt Verri
29 mins: Brilliant from Martinelli, gets away from Alexander-Arnold and fires the ball across the face of goal.
Saka in the middle can’t get there, nor can Havertz arriving at the back post.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
16:58 , Matt Verri
27 mins: A bit of a mess in the Arsenal box, but they survive.
Salah played it back towards the edge of the area, Mac Allister and Jones there. White and Partey both have a go at clearing it, eventually Arsenal hack it away.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
16:56 , Matt Verri
25 mins: Mac Allister down, Rice is about to kick the ball out but there is an eruption of jeers from the crowd… and he opts against it.
Good spell this for Arsenal, pinning Liverpool back. Saka has been electric.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
16:54 , Matt Verri
Andy Robertson is having an absolutely torrid time trying to deal with Saka.
Arsenal winger has him on toast right now.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
16:54 , Matt Verri
23 mins: Merino back on for the Gunners after some treatment.
Saka can have another run at Robertson, he’s got the beating of him. Ball dinked into the middle, Van Dijk heads it out.
Arsenal come again on the other flank, Martinelli tries to beat Alexander-Arnold but the Liverpool man holds firm.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
16:51 , Matt Verri
20 mins: Free-kick for Arsenal after good work from Saka out wide, up come the defenders.
And it’s a big chance! Rice with the ball in, Merino is free six yards out… turns it wide.
He’s stayed down holding his shoulder.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
16:50 , Matt Verri
The second week in a row Arsenal have conceded from a set-piece.
They’re usually rock solid from them, but that was sloppy.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool | Virgl van Dijk 18′
16:49 , Matt Verri
LEVEL AGAIN!
So easy for Liverpool. Alexander-Arnold whips in a corner, Diaz flicks it on at the near post and Van Dijk nods it home from a few yards out.
Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool
16:47 , Matt Verri
16 mins: Few groans as Arsenal play it around in their own box. Home fans getting nervous already.
Not helped when Raya then loses his footing and sends it straight out of play.
Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool
16:45 , Matt Verri
14 mins: Saying that…
Merino loses the ball in a terrible position and Salah can pounce. First-time effort whipped just wide from 20 yards out.
Not far away at all.
Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool
16:43 , Matt Verri
12 mins: For all Arsenal haven’t been hugely convincing at times this season, they are not a side you want to concede first against.
Even without Saliba, they are capable of making it very difficult for Liverpool to break them down.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
16:42 , Matt Verri
Brilliant from Saka – but what a ball that is by Ben White. The perfect weight and it completely opened Liverpool up.
The Emirates is rocking, now.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool | Bukayo Saka 9′
16:40 , Matt Verri
SENSATIONAL!
White with a brilliant ball over the top… and it’s then ridiculously good from Saka.
Chops inside Robertson and hammers the finish past Kelleher at the near post.
Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool
16:39 , Matt Verri
8 mins: Salah tries to play the ball in behind Partey, Diaz had the run on him, but White does really well to read it an intercept.
Confident start from White, in a rare appearance at centre-back.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
16:37 , Matt Verri
Already a lovely amount of needle in this game, which is getting the crowd whipped up.
Havertz and Van Dijk that latest two to exchange words after a confrontation.
Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool
16:37 , Matt Verri
6 mins: Havertz has gone down and gets a mouthful from Van Dijk, who just kicked out at the Arsenal striker. Twice.
Referee gives the free-kick, that was strangely hot-headed from Van Dijk.
Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool
16:35 , Matt Verri
4 mins: Merino does well to track back and stop Salah breaking away down the right, with Timber pushed up that wing.
Liverpool fairly cautious out of possession, not charging up to press.
Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool
16:33 , Matt Verri
2 mins: Liverpool straight on the front foot, Saka tripping Robertson out wide. Free-kick in a good position for the visitors.
Alexander-Arnold trots over to take it, up come Van Dijk and Konate. Early test this for Arsenal.
Van Dijk flicks it on, White wins the second header to clear.
KICK-OFF!
16:30 , Matt Verri
Up and running at the Emirates!
16:29 , Matt Verri
Will be a minute’s silence ahead of kick-off, with this Arsenal’s last home match before Remembrance Day.
16:27 , Matt Verri
Big occasion, big atmosphere. Arsenal fans will be buoyed by the team news, especially the return of Saka.
Arteta promised that the Gunners will be “flying” this afternoon… will they fly out of the blocks?
Time to find out.
Here we go!
16:24 , Matt Verri
Teams are in the tunnel, they’ll be out in the next couple of minutes or so.
Dennis Bergkamp is pitchside ahead of kick-off – felt like he might have had a chance at making the bench a few days ago.
Arteta: Saka and Timber return a big boost
16:17 , Matt Verri
Big smile on Mikel Arteta’s face as he is asked about the return of Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber to the starting lineup.
The Arsenal boss says: “Yeah, we needed some players back. They tried so hard to be able to be in the squad, to be in the lineup today. It’s a big boost for us.
“They are playing because they feel good, they tick every box we needed them to. We want to be safe too, they are two very important players for us.”
Not long now!
16:11 , Matt Verri
Just under 20 minutes to go until kick-off at the Emirates.
Warm-ups are underway… a massive encounter coming up very, very shortly.
Elsewhere in the Premier League…
16:05 , Matt Verri
Here are the full-time scores for you from the 2pm kick-offs. It’s not looking good for Erik ten Hag…
West Ham 2-1 Man United
Crystal Palace 1-0 Tottenham
Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle
Arteta full of praise for ‘remarkable’ Liverpool
16:01 , Matt Verri
Mikel Arteta has insisted he is not surprised by Liverpool’s strong start to the season.
The Reds have impressed in all competitions, and have the chance to make it eight wins from nine in the Premier League.
Arteta said: “Arne’s a really good manager. He’s inherited a team that is successful and given it his touch to maintain and evolve in the direction he believes is the right way to do it.
“For me, they are one of the best teams in the last decade and certainly the history of this Premier League, because they competed against a team (Manchester City) that was creating record after record and they were consistently there.
“That shows a lot of relentless and winning mentality to consistently believe, even if some people feel you could not reach it.
“That’s a big credit to them and they have done the work with a clear identity, so that’s something remarkable in my opinion.”
Merson: Arsenal cannot afford to lose
15:52 , Matt Verri
Paul Merson believes Arsenal’s title chances are as good as over if they are beaten by Liverpool.
Arne Slot’s side arrive at the Emirates four points ahead of the Gunners.
And ahead of their top-of-the-table clash, former Arsenal hero Merson has made it clear his old side cannot afford to lose.
“If they lose this they go seven points behind them,” he told Sky Sports News.
“That’s a lot of points, especially the way these teams are winning football matches. They beat lesser teams with ease and the gulf is massive at the moment.
“I’d be shocked. If Arsenal lost this and went on and won the league I’d be absolutely amazed. I would be flabbergasted.
“They’re not just chasing one team down, but chasing two.
“All of this about how there will still be 29 games to go – Arsenal will be out the title (if they lose).”
Norway eyeing Odegaard return
15:43 , Matt Verri
Norway boss Stale Solbakken has revealed he plans to have Martin Odegaard available for next month’s international fixtures.
The Arsenal captain has now been out for more than six weeks with an ankle injury picked up while playing for Norway in September.
Odegaard has stepped up his recovery recently, training individually and running on an anti-gravity treadmill, and has confirmed he is “getting closer” to being available.
Mikel Arteta has suggested Odegaard will return before the November international break, which has left Solbakken hopeful of being able to call up the 25-year-old for Norway’s fixtures against Slovenia and Kazakhstan.
“Everything indicates that things are going according to plan,” the Norway manager told VG when asked if Odegaard would be ready to play for his country next month.
“So it’s about the last steps when you have to train with opponents and in team training. It depends on how he responds to that, but we have a legitimate hope that he is ready.”
As it stands…
15:36 , Matt Verri
With Chelsea currently 2-1 up against Newcastle after 70 minutes at Stamford Bridge, the Gunners are down to fifth in the table for now.
Victory, though, and they will go back up to third and only three points off Man City at the top.
As for Liverpool, they will move to the summit again if they come away from north London with victory, and they would already have a seven-point advantage over the Gunners.
A lot riding on this match.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
15:30 , Matt Verri
Jurrien Timber vs Mohamed Salah the key battle?
Saka and Timber start!
15:22 , Matt Verri
Well then.
Huge boost for Arsenal as Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber return from injury, and they are both straight back into the starting lineup.
Thomas Partey fills in at right-back this afternoon with Ben White partnering Gabriel in the middle, but it’s a much stronger Arsenal lineup than looked to be the case a few days ago.
No real surprises for Liverpool. Big decision is that both Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister start in midfield, as Dominik Szoboszlai is named on the bench.
Liverpool team news
15:17 , Matt Verri
Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones, Salah, Diaz, Nunez
Subs: Jaros, Davies, Gomez, Endo, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Tsimikas, Quansah, Morton
Arsenal team news
15:15 , Matt Verri
Arsenal XI: Raya; Partey, White, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Merino; Saka; Martinelli; Havertz, Trossard
Subs: Neto, Zinchenko, Kiwior, Nichols, Myles-Skelly, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Sterling, Jesus
Stand by…
15:10 , Matt Verri
All the team news from the Emirates coming up in the next five minutes.
Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber have both arrived with the Gunners squad – there could be some hugely positive news coming up for Arsenal fans…
Arsenal must prove point without Saliba
15:01 , Matt Verri
Mikel Arteta has named five different back-fours in the Premier League this season and this afternoon that number will rise to six.
Arsenal have been hit by an injury crisis in defence and William Saliba’s suspension has only added to their woes.
The defender was sent off at Bournemouth last week and, for the first time since March last year, Arsenal will start a Premier League match without him when they host Liverpool.
Saliba played every minute in the Premier League last season and his absence is a huge blow. Since he made his debut, Arsenal have won 74 per cent of their Premier League games and conceded on average 0.8 goals per game
When the Frenchman has been out, the Gunners’ win rate drops to 45 per cent and they have conceded 1.6 goals per game.
Slot plays down Arsenal ‘dark arts’
14:53 , Matt Verri
Liverpool boss Arne Slot was quizzed in his press conference on whether he is ready for any ‘dark arts’ from Arsenal this afternoon.
“If I look at Arsenal and City it doesn’t even come to my mind about tactical fouls or dark arts, it only comes to my mind how well they play,” Slot responded.
Asked if his players were “streetwise” to cope if Arsenal did use those tactics, the Liverpool boss added: “It’s your words that they are implementing those tactics, the only thing I know is that my players are experienced and they know how to handle certain situations.
“I am not using the word streetwise, I am using the word experienced and you have to cope with if the other team is better than you and how you react in those moments.”
Arteta unable to ‘sleep like a baby’
14:45 , Matt Verri
Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal’s injury crisis is giving him sleepless nights.
Arsenal could be without seven players due to injury and suspension this afternoon, and Arteta said on Friday: “Normally, I prefer to go to bed with the lineup in my head so I can sleep like a baby.
“But sometimes it can not be as you have to wait for the next day. Sometimes two days before. Or just three days before you already have the idea: ‘Against this team, this is what I am going to do’ – but when you have uncertainty with injuries that is tricky.
“For me, the stress comes from two things. First, when you don’t have options, what do you do?
“And then, you get in the shoes of the players and every time you make a decision it is a positive one for somebody and not so positive for one. That’s what causes a little bit of tummy ache if anything.”
Stage is set!
14:38 , Matt Verri
It’s a glorious afternoon in north London…
Standard Sport prediction
14:31 , Matt Verri
Arteta is not short of problems.
Saka has returned to training in at least some capacity but is not certain to feature. Timber is another facing a race against time to be fit, along with Calafiori. Odegaard is out, and Saliba is suspended.
Liverpool, missing key players of their own, look capable of beating anyone and Mohamed Salah should be set for a big game taking on whoever is fit down Arsenal’s left. If Salah is on song, as he has been all season, this could be a statement win for the Reds.
Liverpool to win, 0-1.
Liverpool team news
14:25 , Matt Verri
Liverpool will be without Diogo Jota for their Premier League showdown with Arsenal this afternoon.
Jota played half an hour in the 2-0 win over Chelsea last weekend before he was forced off after Tosin Adarabioyo landed awkwardly on him.
The Liverpool forward missed the midweek 1-0 win away at RB Leipzig in the Champions League and Arne Slot has confirmed he will not feature at Emirates Stadium.
Federico Chiesa, Alisson Becker, Harvey Elliott and Conor Bradley also remain sidelined.
Andy Robertson is expected to come back into the side at left-back, after Kostas Tsimikas started in midweek.
Curtis Jones impressed against Chelsea last weekend and will hope to get the nod.
Predicted Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Arsenal team news
14:17 , Matt Verri
Arsenal are today sweating on the fitness of Bukayo Saka.
Saka has been out since suffering a hamstring injury on England duty and Mikel Arteta has said it is “very uncertain” whether he and Jurrien Timber will be fit.
“He’s done a bit of training on the grass,” said Arteta about Saka on Friday. “How far we can get him before Sunday is another question. We have another day, which is a good thing. We will see.”
Timber is also back in training but he has not played since the start of this month due to a muscle issue.
Riccardo Calafiori is set to miss the Liverpool clash with the knee injury he suffered in the Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, which could leave Arteta with a headache at left-back.
Arsenal will be without the suspended William Saliba, and if Timber and Calafiori are out it means Arteta will be forced into a major defensive reshuffle.
Ben White may be forced to play in the heart of defence alongside Gabriel, with Thomas Partey dropping into right-back.
On the other flank, Arteta has three left-backs to choose from in Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Arsenal predicted XI (4-2-2-2): Raya; Partey, White, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Merino; Saka; Martinelli; Havertz, Trossard
How to watch Arsenal vs Liverpool
14:11 , Matt Verri
TV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage starts after Chelsea’s clash with Newcastle, with kick-off for Arsenal vs Liverpool at 4.30pm GMT.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Sky Go app.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action right here with us, featuring expert analysis from Simon Collings at the Emirates!
Good afternoon!
14:04 , Matt Verri
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Arsenal vs Liverpool!
It’s a huge clash in the Premier League, as table-topping Liverpool face their toughest test of the season so far.
Gunners have been in stumbling form, but there’s a chance for them to make a major statement here.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 4:30pm BST from the Emirates Stadium.
