Arsenal will face off against Liverpool at Emirates Stadium in an encounter, which bares huge top 4 implications, and Arsene Wenger’s team will look to maintain their fine Premier League form at the expense of the reds.
The Gunners have won 9 of their last 10 matches in all competitions, whilst Brendan Rodgers’ team come into this fixture off the back of a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Manchester United.
The reverse fixture in December between Arsenal and Liverpool ended 2-2, with defender Martin Skrtel equalizing right in the dying stages of the game, to cancel out in form Olivier Giroud’s second half goal.
Team News
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Arsenal:Â Danny Welbeck has a chance to be involved in tomorrow’s clash, after the England striker sustained a minor knee injury whilst on international duty last week, missing the friendly against Italy on Tuesday as a result.
Elsewhere, long term absentees Jack Wilshere (Ankle), Mathieu Debuchy (Shoulder), Abou Diaby (Calf) and club captain Mikel Arteta (Hamstring)Â all returned to action in a midweek match with Arsenal’s academy. The highlight of the bunch being Wilshere getting on the scoresheet.
However, they are all still be short of match fitness and the best they can hope for is the bench. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also returned to training but is also a doubt.
Liverpool:Â Brendan Rodgers’ side will be without Martin Skrtel and club captain Steven Gerrard through suspensions, after both players were found guilty of violent conduct in their last league fixture against Man Utd.
Gerrard was shown a straight red card for his stamp on Ander Herrera 40 seconds after coming off the bench, whilst Skrtel was later found guilty doing the same on David De Gea late in the match.
More promising news for Liverpool will be the returns of Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Jordan Ibe who were all involved in training this week.
Star striker Sturridge, who was initially feared to miss tomorrow’s clash after sustaining yet another injury during the international break, has a chance to be included in the squad. All eyes will also be on the look out for contract rebel Raheem Sterling in Liverpool’s squad too.
Predicted Line-Ups
Wenger will maintain his confidence in current first-choice keeper David Ospina, whilst in defence will probably see Hector Bellerin receive the nod ahead of Calum Chambers on the right.
Gabriel who was unsued during the international break will likely partner Laurent Koscielny in the heart of the defence, to drop Mertesacker to the bench.
Aaron Ramsey could start on the bench for the Gunners after reports of a minor knock picked up during the internationals, whilst Cazorla and Coquelin marshal the midfield.
Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs could also be benched for Danny Welbeck and Nacho Monreal respectively.
Arsenal:Â Ospina, Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ozil, Welbeck, Alexis, Giroud
Subs: Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Ramsey, Rosicky, Walcott
Liverpool:Â Mignolet, Sakho, Lovren, Can, Henderson, Allen, Moreno, Markovic, Lallana, Coutinho, Sturridge
Subs: Jones, Johnson, Toure, Ibe, Lucas, Balotelli, Borini