As the 2021/2022 Premier League season slowly nears its end, two Premier League giants gear up for battle in a highly-anticipated midweek clash.
This fixture has produced a lot of goals, drama and headlines in the past, so it's fair to say we're in for an entertaining clash on Wednesday - especially with both sides currently in red-hot form. Here is TribalFootball's preview for the blockbuster meeting at the Emirates.
Match Preview
Arsenal kicked the season off with an abysmal string of performances, but they've since picked up, racking up points and rising up the table.
Since their goalless draw at home in late January, the Gunners have won 5 games on the trot beating the likes of Leicester City and Wolves.
The North London side are currently reaping the benefits of putting their faith in youth with players such as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith-Rowe at the forefront of their resurgence.
Arsenal celebrating against Leicester last weekend
They are playing with a new-found flair, keeping opponents on the backfoot and dominating games, with their regular midfield trio of Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard proving very effective.
They've also been very defensively solid with goalie Aaron Ramsdale keeping the 3rd highest clean sheet total in the Premier League season with 12.
As thing's stand, the Gunners are coming off an impressive 2-0 home win over the Foxes which propelled them into 4th place.
A win against Liverpool would take the Gunners four points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United with two games in hand, thereby, strengthening their quest for UCL football next season and sending a message to the rest of the league.
Liverpool have had an eventful past few weeks having secured the EFL Cup and worked themselves back into contention for the Premier League title.
The Merseysiders are competing on all fronts, aiming to be the first English side to win the quadruple having already qualified for the quarter finals of the Champions League and the semi-finals of the FA Cup - and considering the form they're currently on (8 league victories in a row), they might just go all the way.
Going into Wednesday's tie, Liverpool will be aiming to keep pace with League leaders Manchester City, as a win would cut their deficit to the leaders down to a lone point and make an already close title race even more nerve-wrecking.
Arsenal Team News
Right back Takehiro Tomiyasu is set to miss the game as coach Mikel Arteta appears to be hesitant to rush him back into action following his calf injury while the rest of the squad appears to be injury-free.
Liverpool Team News
Mohammed Salah is back in training today after suffering a foot problem in the 2-0 over Brighton on Saturday and looks set to be involved.
Salah should be fit to face the Gunners
Arsenal Possible Starting Lineup
Ramsdale, Tierney, White, Gabriel, Cedric, Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Saka, Smith-Rowe, Lacazette
Liverpool Possible Starting Lineup
Allison, Robertson, Van Dijk, Matip, Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho ,Henderson ,Thiago , Diaz, Firmino, Salah
Prediction
Both sides are in red-hot and are in crucial need of the 3 points on offer for their respective ambitions - hence, due to the gravity of the game you'd do well to expect both sides to take a more cautious approach than usual.
Liverpool's defensive solidity is likely to pose a problem for Arsenal's forwards as the Reds have looked amazing defensively recently.
And while Arsenal are no pushovers in defence by any means, they're likely to succumb to Liverpool's incredible pressure and invention in the attacking third.
On that note, we expect Liverpool to secure a much-needed win on Wednesday.
