Arsenal v Liverpool Predictions: Will the Gunners get a statement win?

Arsenal meet Liverpool in the Premier League’s most eye-catching game of the weekend’s fixtures. Who will come out on top? Robin Bairner provides his Arsenal v Liverpool predictions below.

All or nothing for Liverpool

Are Arsenal genuine Premier League title contenders or will their electric start to the season simply be another false dawn at the Emirates? Fans will be one step closer to finding out on Saturday when they host Liverpool, who finished runners-up last year’s.

The Gunners are second-favourites at 10 to go all the way after winning seven of their first eight matches this campaign. In comparison, Liverpool, who have made a lacklustre start to the season, are available at 16.5 after drifting dramatically since hostilities began. 

Indeed, the Reds’ league-winning aspirations could effectively be over if they lose in North London, while Arsenal will stake their claim as the most legitimate threat to Man City’s third-consecutive title tilt.

Perfect at home

Arsenal are in the midst of a memorable start to the season. Virtually nothing has gone wrong for Mikel Arteta’s side since August and even their solitary slip up against Manchester United in September has not thrown them. Since a chastening 3-1 defeat, they have picked up four successive victories.

Last weekend’s 3-1 win in the North London derby was arguably their most complete display of the season. Thomas Partey struck a superb opener, and though it was cancelled out by a Harry Kane penalty, the Gunners showed a strong mentality to rally in the second half. Goals from Gabriel Jesus, his fifth in the league already, and in-form captain Granit Xhaka steered them to success.

Gabriel Jesus: has scored five times in the Premier League so far

Indeed, they boast a 100% record in their five competitive matches at home this term, with 14 goals scored and five conceded. Arteta has his men playing an exciting brand of attacking football, but crucially his charges also now have the belief that they can match any opponent. Now it is time to show it.

Frustration for Reds

Liverpool, meanwhile, are not the powerhouse they were last season. They briefly showed their best in a 9-0 home success over Bournemouth, but ten points from seven games is not the return that fans have come to expect from the Reds.

Draws have been frustratingly prevalent in the league, and they have split the points four times, including a 3-3 draw with Brighton last weekend. Jurgen Klopp watched his side get into a winning position after being 2-0 down: If that was characteristic of his team last season, conceding a late equaliser certainly was not.

Even the midweek Champions League victory over Rangers, achieved by a two-goal margin, was not as slick as Liverpool might have expected. Nevertheless, they sit reasonably well positioned in that competition. Their focus must be on regaining their momentum in the Premier League, where they have not won on their travels in three games this term.

Goals a banker

The value is on Arsenal in this match, at 2.62 to win the game. There’s something wrong with this Liverpool team at present, and backing them at 2.7 would defy on-field events over the last two months. The Reds have been prone to draws, though, so backing the Gunners via an Asian Handicap of +0.5 at 1.5, or on the Draw No Bet market at 1.9 is a logical alternative.

Equally, both teams to score looks like a banker at 1.6. Arsenal have netted at least twice in all of their home games this season while they have not kept a clean sheet against Liverpool in 13 Premier League matches. And, though the Gunners’ Emirates form is excellent – they have won seven straight in the league – they have not enjoyed a shutout in their last six.

Arsenal v Liverpool predictions

Arsenal draw no bet @ 1.9
Both teams to score @ 1.6