Premier League: Will Liverpool Knock Arsenal Off the Top?

Arsenal vs Liverpool

Arsenal’s grip on the Premier League top spot will be seriously tested on Sunday when Liverpool head to the Emirates in search of a much-needed win.

Jurgen Klopp’s team is languishing in ninth position, while the Gunners are riding high at the top and the latest Premier League 2022 betting odds say the Reds’ title chances are rapidly dwindling at odds of 12.00. Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are second favourites at a SBOTOP price of 9.00.

Manchester City are now down to 1.20 to win a fifth league title in six campaigns.   

The Gunners come into the game in buoyant mood and on the back of a Europa League win over Bodo Glimt to make it four victories on the bounce.

Meanwhile, Liverpool beat Rangers in the Champions League but have just picked up two draws from their last two league games.      

Talking Points

Odegaard return makes Arsenal even better

The return to fitness of Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard is a big boost for the Gunners fans who watched their midfield star take the captain’s armband with style.

He’s become a key creative player for Arteta’s team and his performance against Bodo Glimt on Thursday’s victory was imperious as he pulled the strings and picked his passes at will.

One of the knock on effects of Odegaard’s rise is Granit Xhaka’s return to form, which has been the big Premier League 2022 news at the Emirates, as the midfield enforcer appears to be more responsible and measured without the job of skipper.  

Up front, Gabriel Jesus is loving his football at the Emirates and is third favourite to win the Golden Boot at a price of 23.00 behind Harry Kane and the goal machine that is Erling Braut Haaland.

And his Brazilian teammate Gabriel Martinelli is also in scintillating form, and his duel with Liverpool wing-back Trent Alexander-Arnold will be one of the key battles.   

Thomas Partey scored a screamer to set the Gunners on the way to a memorable win over Spurs last week and the midfield star has found a run of form which deserted him in an injury interrupted campaign last year. 

It’s all looking rosy for Arsenal and, if they win on Saturday, they will go 14 points clear of Liverpool and will almost certainly become second favourites for the league.   

Anniversary present for Klopp?

On his seventh anniversary as Liverpool boss, Klopp will be hoping his players can find a way of stopping the rampant Gunners.

But this is the worst start Liverpool have made under the German coach, and a defeat on Sunday would surely end their title aspirations as it would leave them 14 points off the top spot and, crucially, 13 behind Manchester City.

So what has been the problem for the Reds who have amassed just 10 points from seven games?

Well, they have gone behind in nine of their last 11 Premier League fixtures, recovering well in some, but four draws have seen them fall quickly behind the pacesetters.

Some of their big players have been out of form. Centre-back Virgil van Dijk and Trent to name are two of those, and Mohamed Salah is not yet firing with just two goals while the absence of influential wing-back Andrew Robertson is a blow since he’s one of Liverpool’s best leaders on the pitch.

On the plus side, newcomers Luis Diaz and Ibrahima Konate have settled well and Darwin Nunez looks a real handful and a natural finisher, but he needs to avoid unnecessary red cards.

And, in the absence of the departed Sadio Mane, Brazil striker Roberto Firmino has scored five goals so he just needs Salah to join the party and the wins will start to flow.

History

These two teams have had many a tussle as ever presents in the Premier League, and Liverpool are on top in the head-to-heads with 27 victories to the Gunners’ 21 while there have been 21 draws.

The Merseysiders have won four of the last five encounters, including a 2-0 win at the Emirates last March with goals from Diogo Jota and Firmino.   

Arsenal have a 100-per cent home record this season, while Liverpool are without a win on the road with two draws and a defeat.  

Betting Tip

With Arsenal at odds of 2.35 to win this huge clash and Liverpool at 2.58, we neutrals could go either way as both teams, particularly the hosts, have a good case for three points. But I suspect Liverpool will put in a fierce resistance at the Emirates and come away with a point. With Manchester City at home to struggling Southampton, if I’m right, Liverpool will give the Sky Blues a helping hand to knock the Gunners off the top of the table.

 

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