This Sunday, Anfield will host a monumental clash between two Premier League giants – teams that finished at the top last season and are widely tipped to be title contenders once more. The encounter between Liverpool and Arsenal is set to be the inaugural high-profile spectacle of the new Premier League campaign. While this fixture might not definitively determine the championship, it holds significant weight in shaping the narrative and momentum for the season ahead.
Mikel Arteta enters this game with a commendable defensive record. His Arsenal squad has remained undefeated against Liverpool in the Premier League since March 2022. However, it`s been a considerable period since the Spanish manager celebrated a top-flight victory at Anfield himself, dating back to a 2-0 win in September 2012 when he played for Arsene Wenger`s team.
Both teams will be vying for their third consecutive victory of the season. Arne Slot is acutely aware of the necessity to fortify his defense, which has already conceded six goals in their league and Community Shield matches. Conversely, Liverpool`s attacking force appears formidable and will undoubtedly challenge Arsenal`s backline. Below are some of the crucial strategic dilemmas facing both coaches as they prepare for the match:
1. Containing Mohamed Salah: A Key Defensive Challenge
While halting Mohamed Salah at his peak might seem an insurmountable task, Arsenal has historically been one of the teams that have come closest in recent seasons. The Egyptian star has still managed to produce moments of brilliance against his title rivals, yet when Mikel Arteta`s defense performs optimally against Salah, they typically manage to limit his impact significantly.
Their tactical approach is quite direct. Recognizing Salah`s tendency to cut in from the right wing onto his dominant left foot, Arsenal aims to counter this by deploying a left-back who can effectively defend with their right foot. Ideally, this player should also possess the versatility to cover overlapping attacks or Salah`s runs towards the byline – essentially a truly versatile defender. Takehiro Tomiyasu originally set the standard for this role; if his fitness were reliable, he would likely be a prime candidate for such fixtures. Last season, Jurrien Timber, Arsenal`s most skilled defensive full-back, delivered an excellent performance for 76 minutes at the Emirates. Yet, five minutes later, Salah scored an equalizer, a moment that, in retrospect, might have stifled Arsenal`s title momentum.
Given a fully fit squad, Mikel Arteta might have been inclined to reposition Timber to left-back once more. However, this is Arsenal we`re discussing, a team that has been without a complete roster for over a year. The absence of Ben White – often described as North London`s resilient defender, capable of playing through anything – leaves only one right-back option. Consequently, either Riccardo Calafiori or Myles Lewis-Skelly will be entrusted with the challenging task of marking Salah.
Lewis-Skelly managed this role quite effectively towards the close of last season, but similar to other late-season adversaries, he faced a Salah who had already achieved his objectives for the 2024-25 season. Nevertheless, Lewis-Skelly`s impressive defensive track record for an 18-year-old is remarkable; entrusting a teenager with neutralizing England`s top attacker could surprisingly be Arteta`s most prudent choice.
It`s not a question of whether Calafiori can be relied upon for defensive duties; rather, while playing for Arsenal, he often has the freedom to launch forward across the pitch, creating such unpredictable situations that his long-range side-footed goal into the Etihad net seemed entirely plausible. The question remains: can he temper his eagerness to attack, and more importantly, should he?
Viewing Information and Odds
- Date: Sunday, August 31 | Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
- Location: Anfield – Liverpool, United Kingdom
- TV: NBC
- Odds: Liverpool +125; Draw +240; Arsenal +210
2. The Wirtz-Zubimendi Midfield Battle
It`s uncommon to hear managers discuss integrating an opposing player into their own squad, even more so when that player famously rejected them just over a year prior. Nevertheless, Arne Slot makes no secret of his initial interest in Martin Zubimendi. The football community was well aware that Liverpool intended for Zubimendi to be a central figure in their new manager`s inaugural season, but he ultimately had second thoughts when Arsenal signaled their interest a year later.
“What attracted us to him was his exceptional ball control and profound understanding of the game,” Slot remarked concerning Zubimendi. “We believed, and it proved true, that we would dominate possession in every match, and having someone in front of our defense who is so comfortable with the ball would have been an ideal match for us. Especially if he is also defensively robust enough for the league, which he is currently demonstrating and which we anticipated.”
As Slot indicated, Liverpool largely addressed their needs with Ryan Gravenberch. However, he will be up against the exceptional talent of Zubimendi, a controlling midfield presence capable of dictating the pace and tempo of a game. If paired with Declan Rice in a genuine double pivot – a setup Arteta has experimented with this season – Arsenal could gain the upper hand in the midfield battle against Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, who is still regaining full fitness.
Liverpool`s deeper midfielders will require support, and Florian Wirtz might be the one to provide it. The former Bayer Leverkusen player hasn`t yet dominated a Premier League match in possession, but he appears to have quickly adapted to Slot`s defensive demands without the ball. A proactive presser, Wirtz is currently averaging a recovery in the attacking third approximately every 50 minutes (though this is based on a limited sample size). He will need to intensify this off-ball effort. Arsenal will undoubtedly aim to quiet the famously boisterous Anfield crowd. While several minutes of calm, controlled possession could achieve this, one or two crucial turnovers won by Wirtz in dangerous areas could ignite the Kop.
3. Noni Madueke`s Opportunity to Impress
Few £50 million transfers have been met with the level of frustration experienced by Arsenal supporters upon Noni Madueke`s arrival from Chelsea this summer. Thousands signed online petitions, and graffiti near the Emirates called for Arteta`s dismissal. It seems every summer highlights how transfer culture can sometimes distort fan perception. This instance was a stark example, particularly as Arsenal had just acquired a player capable of addressing various squad needs. Madueke has already demonstrated his ability to bolster options on the left wing, offering a left-footed, cross-oriented alternative that complements Gabriel Martinelli. Now, he may have the chance to play on his preferred right flank.
Last season, Arsenal controversially rushed Bukayo Saka back for Liverpool`s visit to the Emirates. He opened the scoring but subsequently faded due to a muscle problem, which ultimately led to a major hamstring injury within two months. While Saka is not expected to return this weekend from the injury that forced him off against Leeds, Arsenal will be hoping Madueke can provide a crucial offensive spark and much-needed relief.
The 23-year-old made a strong impression against Trent Alexander-Arnold while playing on Chelsea`s left flank last season. Now, he`s likely relishing the prospect of facing Milos Kerkez, who, despite being Liverpool`s more reserved new fullback, is still prone to venturing forward. Madueke`s direct runs and speed appear perfectly suited to exploit the defensive gaps behind the champions` backline – areas that teams like Bournemouth and Newcastle have successfully targeted. This fixture presents a prime chance for the new signing to win over the skeptical Arsenal supporters.
