The two top four rivals meet up at Anfield on Saturday evening in what is sure to be an intriguing match.
Will Liverpool’s Sadio Mane punish another London side?
Former Arsenal and England midfielder Paul Merson has been discussing his Premier League predictions this weekend on Sky Sports, and it isn’t surprising that he dwelt on one fixture that sticks out from the rest.
Though Tottenham versus Everton and West Ham against Chelsea are undoubtedly big games, it is Saturday’s match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield that is most people’s pick of the bunch.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side recovered from a spell of poor form to impress against Arsenal’s North London rivals, Tottenham, in their last home game, only for the Reds to then capitulate against champions Leicester last week.
Arsenal have barely been much better in recent fixtures, with defeats against Watford and Chelsea a month ago threatening to derail their top four chances.
Merson was especially fierce in his criticism of Liverpool though, ahead of predicting a goal-heavy 2-2 draw between the pair.
“I could not believe how bad Liverpool were on Monday,” he says on Sky Sports. “They were terrible. You’d expect them not to be as bad again with Arsenal in town, but I am struggling to predict a winner in this game so that’s why I’m going for a 2-2 draw.
“There will be plenty of goals because both sides will go gung-ho. Arsenal just need to stay in the game in the first 20 minutes and if they can do that they will have an excellent chance of getting a positive result.”
With both of Liverpool’s goals in the 2-0 win over Tottenham coming in the first 20 minutes, Merson’s comments certainly sound on point. If they can make it through the first quarter of the game, could Arsene Wenger and his team push for the win?
What do you think, how will the match finish up?
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
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