Arsenal have a real chance of ending Liverpool’s Champions League hopes this weekend by leaving Anfield with all three points.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have picked up just two wins in 2017 against Plymouth and Tottenham, as well as dropping out of 2 domestic trophy chances.
Monday night looked set to be a changing moment in Liverpool’s campaign, but it seems they hit the snooze button after falling to a 3-1 defeat against relegation-battling Leicester.
There’s already been planned marches from both sets of fans ahead of Saturday afternoons kick off as discontent continues to surround the managers decisions.
But fighting to put the mood right again are two sets of players that owe their boss a lot, so let’s see who’s available:
Arsenal Team News
The Gunners welcome back Olivier Giroud, Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey who are all back in full training following their absence in the Sutton United game.
Wenger stated that Danny Welbeck has a chance of starting against the Reds following two appearances in the U23’s side since Arsenal’s last Premier League outing.
The extent of Mohamed Elneny’s injury has finally been revealed, with the Egyptian now expected to miss another three weeks of action due to an ankle problem.
Mesut Ozil is set to sit this one out despite Arsene Wenger’s assurances that his £42m man would be okay after suffering a heavy illness during the week.
Arsenal Absentees: S. Cazorla (ankle), M. Elneny (ankle) M. Ozil (flu)
Predicted Line-Up (4-2-3-1): Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Gibbs, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Xhaka, Walcott, Iwobi, Alexis, Giroud
Liverpool Team News
That heavy defeat to Leicester can’t be blamed on injuries, because Klopp has very little to worry about in terms of who he doesn’t have for selection.
The big name absentee is Jordan Henderson, who’s expected to sit out as a precaution with Liverpool not wanting to risk their captain ahead of a busy end to the season.
Daniel Sturridge was hoping to return to the bench after overcoming a heavy illness, but during the rehab process he picked up a hip injury and will be missing yet again.
Dejan Lovren’s got a slim chance of joining in with the starting XI after training once this week but Lucas Leiva may have to deputise in that centre-back role another week.
Klopp looks to have decided on Simone Mignolet as his number one now, but there will be a few interesting calls following some disappointing form across the board.
Liverpool Absentees: J. Henderson (foot), D. Lovren (knee), D. Ings (knee), D. Sturridge (hip)
Predicted Line-Up (4-2-3-1): Mignolet, Clyne, Lucas, Matip, Milner, Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Mane, Firmino, Coutinho
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