Liverpool vs Arsenal Preview
Gameweek 3 of the Premier League is punctuated by a Sunday clash with title implications, as Arsenal swagger into Anfield in search of a signature victory over Liverpool in their 245th all-time meeting.
Liverpool have leveraged their success last season by adding mettle to their already championship-quality squad via the summer transfer market. According to Transfermrkt.us, the reigning Premier League champions have spent $395.3 million on six summer signings to reinforce their attacking and defensive units to date.
Arsenal have begun yet another championship-chasing campaign under Mikel Arteta as they look to find the elusive recipe to push the Gunners over the top in their title quest. In concocting their formula, the North Londoners have spent heavily in their own right, bringing in six players for a total cost of $341.5 million.
Premier League Player News & Updates
Liverpool vs. Arsenal Head-to-Head Record
Liverpool and Arsenal have met on 244 occasions, dating back to 1893 when Liverpool trounced Arsenal 5-0 in a League Division Two matchup.
Liverpool lead the all-time series narrowly, winning 95 times and drawing on 66 occasions.
Over their last 10 meeting across all competitions, Liverpool hold a slight edge having won four times and drawn four.
Fixture Trivia
Question: What current or former Liverpool player holds the all-time record for most Premier League assists versus Arsenal?
(Answer provided on Gameweek 4's Premier League Preview article)
Gameweek 2 Trivia: Who is Manchester City's all-time leading goal scorer versus Tottenham?
Sergio Aguero scored 12 goals for Manchester City in 18 matchups versus Tottenham from 2011 to 2021.
Betting Odds and Predictions for Liverpool vs. Arsenal Match
Premier League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: LIV +115 Draw +250, ARS +235
FanDuel: LIV +115 Draw +240, ARS +220
BetMGM: LIV +115 Draw +260, ARS +220
Bet365: LIV +115 Draw +250, ARS +230
Visit RotoWire all season for exclusive sports betting picks and our weekly Premier League betting show. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet. Claim over a thousand dollars in bonuses by signing up at the best sports betting sites using the best sportsbook promos.
RECENT FORM
Liverpool have had a strong start to the campaign with a home win versus Bournemouth and a victory at St. James' Park versus a 10-man Newcastle squad. In both matchups, the Reds conceded twice and scored goals in the dying embers to secure their victories.
Arsenal's defensive prowess has been on full display as Arteta's side have notched two clean sheets in as many opportunities to begin the 2025/2026 campaign. The Gunners began the season with a pragmatic 1-0 victory at Old Trafford before trouncing newly promoted Leeds United 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
FORMATIONS
Liverpool are most likely to line up in an initial 4-2-3-1 shape. The solidity of the double-pivot protecting the talented Liverpool back line allows manager Arne Slot to provide the freedom to his full-backs to join the attack on the flanks when in possession. Look for the ball to be at the foot of the Reds' new No. 10 Florian Wirtz when the Reds control possession in the attacking third.
Arsenal's shape has been pliable under Arteta. With a newly signed No. 9 and a reconstituted defensive midfield, expect Arteta to use a base 4-2-3-1 formation with the ability to push players forward when in possession and create defensive solidity in front of goalkeeper David Raya.
LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Premier League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Liverpool Injury News & Lineup Notes
Alexis Mac Allister was left off the team sheet in Liverpool's victory over Newcastle after suffering discomfort on the training ground ahead of the fixture. If there are no lingering concerns over his injury, expect for Mac Allister to play a role versus Arsenal off the bench as he works to regain match fitness.
Jeremie Frimpong will miss the match as he recovers from a hamstring injury suffered in Liverpool's aforementioned victory over Bournemouth. Dominik Szoboszlai deputized at right full-back for Frimpong versus Newcastle. Conor Bradley is also an option for Slot after he made his season debut for the Reds in a 10-minute cameo versus Newcastle.
Arsenal Injury News & Lineup Notes
Bukayo Saka is set to miss the matchup of title contenders after suffering a hamstring injury in Arsenal's victory over Leeds United. Fellow attacker Kai Havertz is out for the match after undergoing minor knee surgery, according to David Ornstein of the New York Times. With Saka definitively out for the fixture, look for Eberechi Eze to make his Arsenal senior debut after his blockbuster transfer from Crystal Palace.
Key midfield cog Martin Odegaard (shoulder) will be a game-time decision ahead of Sunday's fixture. The club captain was limited to 38 minutes versus Leeds after an awkward fall left the veteran struggling to keep pace. Midfield compatriot and new signing Christian Norgaard (undisclosed) is questionable for the match after being left out of the side versus Leeds. If the Norwegian duo is unavailable for the tilt, look for Arsenal to deploy Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice in a double-pivot with Ethan Nwaneri assuming Odegaard's No. 10 role.
Ben White (undisclosed) was deemed unavailable for Liverpool's previous matchup. Look for Jurrien Timber to once again assume the right-back role in White's stead after Timber netted twice versus Leeds.
KEY MATCHUPS
Florian Wirtz versus Rice & Zubimendi
Wirtz will be competing for space versus the Arsenal holding midfielders Sunday when Liverpool's most expensive summer signing meets Arsenal's most expensive summer signing in Zubimendi. Arteta's Arsenal have historically excelled in squeezing the space between their back line and midfielders when opponents are attacking in the final third. Wirtz's ability to cope with the pressure of Rice and Zubimendi will directly impact the fluidity of the Reds' attack.
Viktor Gyokeres versus Virgil van Dijk & Ibrahima Konate
After scoring his first two Arsenal goals versus Leeds United, Gyokeres will face a more stern challenge as he'll contend with the likes of Liverpool's established championship-caliber central defense pairing of van Dijk and Konate. The duo have combined for 41 clearances and three blocks through Liverpool's first two league fixtures. Gyokeres's bully-mentality will meet with the physical prowess of Premier League legend van Dijk and partner Konate in a result-defining matchup.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Mohamed Salah has followed his Golden Boot winning 2024/2025 campaign with one goal, one assist and four chances created across his first two appearances of the 2025/2026 league campaign. The veteran forward has scored in three of Liverpool's last six matchups versus Arsenal (all competitions).
His presence on the right flank will require Arsenal full-back Riccardo Calafiori's attention as he strives for balance between supporting the Arsenal attack and leaving space in behind for the Liverpool star. Look for Salah to continually pull the Arsenal right-back and one of the Gunners' holding midfielders into his orbit throughout the match as he seeks attacking opportunities and creates space for teammates.
PREDICTED RESULT
Liverpool 1 - Arsenal 1
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Liverpool: Sept. 14 at Burnley
Arsenal: Sept. 13 vs. Nottingham Forest
