Arsenal – Liverpool: Preview and Highest Odds

Two of Arsenal’s brightest youngsters in Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe are struggling with hamstring and thigh injuries respectively – with the former having to pull out of England duty – and the attacking duo remain doubts ahead of the visit of Liverpool. Saka’s possible absence would give Nicolas Pepe the chance to flourish on the right wing as Willian battles a calf issue, and the Ivorian will likely be joined by Odegaard, Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with the latter rediscovering his goalscoring touch for Gabon during the international break. Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey will not be broken up in midfield, while David Luiz and Gabriel Magalhaes should form the centre-back pairing, but Arteta has a huge call to make on the right-hand side of defence. Hector Bellerin was dropped from the squad to face West Ham and Chambers grasped his opportunity with both hands, but given the speed and directness of Liverpool’s wide men, the agile Bellerin may be preferred by Arteta this weekend. Liverpool would love to welcome Roberto Firmino back to the fold this weekend given his extraordinary strike rate against Arsenal, and the Brazilian forward has indeed returned to training following a knee injury and could be available this weekend. It would be harsh to drop Jota, but Firmino enjoys playing Arsenal more than any other team in the top flight and will hope to be given the nod alongside the effervescent Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, the latter of whom has scored four of his seven Premier League goals this season in London. Fabinho is able to marshal the midfield with Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak forming a protective barrier in front of Alisson, while Trent Alexander-Arnold put in a decent shift against Wolves, but it was not enough to see him earn a place in the England squad. Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson and Joel Matip complete a quartet of long-term absentees for Liverpool, and Divock Origi is also out with a muscular problem, but the cult hero is expected to depart Anfield this summer anyway.