Team News and Predicted Starting Lineups

Arsenal and Liverpool will go head-to-head in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night in a huge clash with title implications.

Mikel Arteta’s side sit top of the table, six points ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa, following their 3-1 win over Bournemouth this past weekend. Arne Slot’s side, the defending champions, have struggled in this campaign, but currently sit fourth in the division and are unbeaten in their last five games.

Both sides have injury concerns heading into the game, which should make it even more exciting, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expects the teams to line up.

Arsenal Team News

The Gunners have had to deal with a number of injury issues this season, but their squad is now in a much better place, although they’re still likely to be without a few stars.

Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman are all set to miss the game through injury, while Kai Havertz is pushing to get back in the squad after a knee injury, having been left out against Bournemouth due to load management.

Arteta Drops Team News Update

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.

Arsenal Predicted XI

• Arsenal Predicted XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Trossard.​​​
• Arsenal Predicted Substitutes: Kepa (GK), White (DEF), Lewis-Skelly (DEF), Merino (MID), Norgaard (MID), Nwaneri (MID), Eze (FWD), Martinelli (FWD), Gyokeres (FWD).

With a strong team to choose from, Arteta is likely to go with his trusted big-game lineup, but with a slight twist. Viktor Gyokeres has been struggling for goals in recent games while Gabriel Jesus has been in great form, so he could make his first start in almost a year.

That means Eberechi Eze, who hasn’t come off the bench in any of the last four games, Gabriel Martinelli and Gyokeres, who earn a combined £560,000-a-week, could find themselves as substitutes.

Related

Arsenal Make ‘Absolutely Phenomenal’ Star Their Top Transfer Target for 2026

Arsenal have made one ‘absolutely phenomenal’ star their top transfer target for 2026.

Liverpool Team News

Liverpool are holding their breath on the availability of top scorer Hugo Ekitike for this game after he was forced to miss the draw with Fulham at the weekend due to a minor muscle problem.

Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni are long-term absentees, while Wataru Endo will miss the game and Mohamed Salah is still at AFCON with Egypt.

Slot Drops Team News Update

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Slot shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.

Liverpool Predicted XI

• Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Gakpo.
• Liverpool Predicted XI: Mamardashvili (GK), Kerkez (DEF), Gomez (DEF), Ramsay (DEF), Jones (MID), Nyoni (MID), Chiesa (FWD), Ekitike (FWD), Ngumoha (FWD).

The Reds squad is looking stronger than it has in a while in terms of injuries, but with Ekitike likely to be out Gakpo could start up front and lead the line. Andy Robertson and Jeremie Frimpong could also come back in after being on the bench last time out.

That will likely see Federico Chiesa and Ekitike, who earn a combined £410,000-a-week, will be on the bench alongside summer signing Milos Kerkez.

Related

Fabrizio Romano: Juventus ‘Make Approach’ to Sign £180,000-a-Week Liverpool Star

Liverpool are expected to make a decision regarding the 28-year-old’s future.